A cosmopolitan club like Racing 92 always sees the arrival of international duplicates with apprehension.
Relieved of many of their players - even if Georges-Henri Colombe found Hauts-de-Seine this week and left the Blues - the Ciel et Blanc negotiated the reception of La Rochelle on February 7 (26-22).
It is a LOU in full doubt and therefore takeable which points this Saturday, February 13th its crampons at the Arena of Nanterre (5 pm).
Three things to know before this Top 14 meeting.
In hunter mode
The men of manager Laurent Travers can dream.
Even if this term does not exist in the mouth of the technician.
By winning on the synthetic turf of Paris La Défense Arena against Lyon, which remains on three defeats in its last four games, the Ile-de-France (3rd) could get closer to the head of the Top 14 and La Rochelle (2nd) , which moves to Toulon.
Toulouse, wide winner of Pau on Friday night, continues to prance at the top of the Top 14, but Racing would have the opportunity to strike a big blow.
Regain confidence at home
Captain Henry Chavancy's teammates have missed the boat in recent weeks.
By allowing themselves to be overwhelmed at home by Toulon (29-23), then Bordeaux-Bègles (33-32), they showed incredible excitement at home.
In a late match, Saturday February 7, the Racingmen rectified the situation by overcoming La Rochelle with difficulty (26-22), without many of their internationals.
Boffelli, first
Viewers will have the chance to witness Emiliano Boffelli's first steps in France.
The Argentinian three-quarter is a real Swiss army knife, capable of evolving also at the rear, on the wings or in the center.
The Pumas player (31 caps), at ease on air balloons, will prove to be essential for Racing 92 in an international period where the internationals are lacking in spades (Russell, Thomas, Vakatawa).
Long followed by the sports director Yannick Nyanga and his teams Boffelli (1.90 m for 90 kg) was trained at Duendes, the same club as his compatriot and very good friend Juan Imhoff.
Racing 92- Lyon
Nanterre, Paris La Défense Arena, Saturday February 13 at 5 p.m.
Referee: Luc Ramos
Racing 92:
Zebo - D. Taofifenua, Klemenczak, Chavancy (cap.), Dupichot - (o) Gibert, (m) Machenaud - Diallo, Tanga, Lauret - Bird, Palu - Gomes Sa, Baubigny, Ben Arous.
Lyon:
Laporte - To. Arnold, Tuisova, Parisien, Nakaitaci - (o) Wisniewski, (m) Doussain - Sobela, Taufua, Goujon - Rodda, Lambey (cap.) - Gomez-Kodela, Maurouard, Kaabeche.