The resounding victory against the Scots of Edinburgh (56-3), last week in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup, broke the side of Racing 92. Sunday, quarter against Union Bordeaux-Bègles, the second row Dominic Bird (cervical) and Bernard Le Roux (thigh) as well as the center Virimi Vakatawa (knee) will be absent.
Manager Laurent Travers also had to deal with the suspension of Scottish opener Finn Russell and without the three-quarters Teddy Thomas and Simon Zebo, not selected.
But, above all, in Chaban-Delmas, the Hauts-de-Seine club will have to do without its center and captain Henry Chavancy, seriously injured in the shoulder.
A loss of weight as the player is a preponderant element among Ciel et Blanc.
“We are sad for our captain.
What is certain is that everyone will be keen to be able to do what is necessary to reward him, ”Laurent Travers had confided in the heat.
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Child of the club, exemplary leader, worker behind the scenes in the middle of a star-studded workforce, Henry Chavancy - 33 years old in May and 328 matches under the same colors since March 2008 - is inextricably linked to the return to the foreground of the Altosequan team.
Former coach of three-quarters of Ile-de-France, who became responsible for the attack on the XV of France, Laurent Labit had confided about the Sky and White totem pole: “He has been one of those who play the most, for years.
Not because he is the child of Racing but because he is efficient.
He brings added value in terms of state of mind and behavior and he has greatly improved his game. We are aware of his qualities, we only have to look at his performances and his statistics. "
Unmissable.
“Henry is the soul of the club, he is someone who is kind to everyone. With everything he brought to the club, it's up to us to try to do the same ”
Maxime Machenaud
Maxime Machenaud, who has recovered the captain's armband, regrets this hard blow for his team.
“There is breakage like every weekend.
Even more on this surface where things go fast and where the shocks are important. "
But without being alarmist.
“We'll have to deal with his absence, he's a leader of the team,” he said.
He is someone who often sets an example.
He is exemplary in terms of his preparation and his desire.
We will do everything to get something for him. "
And the international number 9 added: “We know that he really wanted to go as far as possible in this competition.
Henry is the soul of the club, he is someone who is kind to everyone.
With everything he brought to the club, it's up to us to try and do the same. "
"Henry brings an important serenity to the team"
Despite his serious injury, Chavancy did not give up his family before this European quarter-final against UBB.
During the week, he participated in meetings, video sessions, providing advice and support to all of his teammates.
In his absence, the other leaders of the Ile-de-France group will have to assume their responsibilities.
“Henry brings an important serenity to the team.
The other leaders of the team will have to take his role.
I am keen to bring my experience to his young people and this group.
I clearly want us to aim for this title of European champion.
I'm putting everything in place for that, ”explained Camille Chat, impressive last weekend against the Scots.
Adding: "I hope that we will be able to raise our heads in relation to that (the absences).
We have to do without, we have no choice anyway. "
“You really have to realize that the group is more than united. Solidarity also takes performance into account ”
Laurent Travers
The richness of the Racing workforce is considerable.
Many internationals, seasoned players at a very high level are there, able to support the young guard from the training center regularly launched into the deep end.
Laurent Travers thus recalled that “we must manage to overcome these hard daily knocks.
Confidence must be on the whole team ”:“ If every time two or three players are missing, the team starts to perform less well or to lose confidence in itself, you cannot go to the end.
You really have to realize that the group is more than united.
Solidarity also takes performance into account.
When we talk about a larger group, we have to demonstrate that we remain competitive.
We have demonstrated this since the start of the season.
We will have to demonstrate it even more if we want to go as far as possible. "
Racing - in search of a first continental title after failing in the final in 2016, 2018 and 2019 - does not want to stop there and that the machine seizes up at the time of the final sprint.
Henry Chavancy couldn't stand it.
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