The "boss" back to business.
Tested positive for Covid-19 in early October, Morgan Parra was severely affected by the virus.
Absent for a long time, the international scrum-half finally sees the end of the tunnel.
Last week, he found his way back to the field against Agen, playing 17 minutes off the bench.
Friday, it is in the titular skin that he will start against Montpellier.
A first since September 12 and a defeat for ASM in Bayonne (21-19).
Against the MHR, he will not wear, however, the captain's armband.
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A situation that hardly bothers him.
On the contrary.
"Not to be captain for my return to the team?"
This allows me to concentrate, already on the week of preparation, on my physique and on my game, ”he explained to our colleagues from
La Montagne
.
And to look back on the moments he went through: “After a difficult start to the season for the team, I was ill and absent for a long time, so I haven't really enjoyed myself yet.
There, the group is on a good dynamic, it must be maintained and for me, holder or replacement, I will try to bring the maximum for the team.
I also want to take pleasure in the field. "
“He was absent for a long time, he is our only player to have been so severely impacted by the Covid. We must give him time "
Franck Azéma
This season, in the absence of Morgan Parra, Sébastien Bézy - arrived from Stade Toulousain - shone in his new colors.
To the point of having been recalled to the French team by Fabien Galthié and his staff.
“It is true that the competition is stiff at his post.
Séb (Bézy) has taken an important leadership role and the reflection led us to say that we could not rely on a single guy for the captaincy, explains manager Franck Azéma, still in
La Montagne
.
You have to be able to have several leaders in the field who help the captain and not always rely on the same one, because it becomes exhausting. ”
Five captains this season
Since the start of the season, third row Fritz Lee, Arthur Iturria and Alexandre Lapandry have inherited the captain's armband from the “Jaunards”, before opener Camille Lopez has taken over for three games.
For Franck Azéma, it was a question of not rushing things for Morgan Parra, by giving him back the captaincy as soon as he returned to competition.
“He was absent for a long time, he is our only player to have been so severely impacted by the Covid.
It must be given time, justifies the technician Auvergne.
Let's not forget that we lost Morgan during two months of competition and over a month he was completely absent, forced to stay at home.
In the life of the group, there is a construction that has been done since. "
But the number 9 Clermont, champion of France in 2010 and 2017, could quickly regain his stripes.
“There is no problem, he is a great player, who has experience, continues Azéma.
It's also not to put additional pressure on him. "
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