Fiji-born former Wallabies winger Henry Speight will start in Biarritz Olympique’s clash against US Montalbanaise in Round 16 of the French Pro D2 rugby tomorrow.
While Speight starts, fellow Fijians Tevita Kuridrani and Johnny Dyer miss selection this week.
Biarritz ended 2022 with a narrow defeat and a defensive bonus point against Béziers. With 42 points in the standings, tied with Mont-de-Marsan (second), Biarritz could reach second place only after securing a win against Montalbanaise tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Fiji-born centre Semesa Rokoduguni also starts for Montalbanaise but fellow member and former Fiji 7s rep Josua Vici has been excluded from the side this week.
Montalbanais ended the year 2022 with a precious victory at home against Soyaux-Angoulême with a score of 25-19.
Currently 14th in the standings, Montauban could climb to 10th place if they manage to win against Biarritz tomorrow.
The Biarritz vs Montalbanaise match will kick off at 8am.
The teams:
Biarritz Olympique: Baptist Erdocio, Thomas Sauveterre, Quentin Samaran, Johan Aliouat, Joshua Tyrell, Dave O’callaghan, Thomas Hebert, Tornike Jalagonia, Kerman Aurrekoetxea Alegria, Baptiste German, Baptiste Faricot, Auguste Cadot, Tyler Morgan, Henry Speight, Joe Jonas.
Subs: Clement Renaud, Zhorzhi Saldadze, Adrian Motoc, Temo Matiu, Barnabe Couilloud, Ilian Perraux, Roman Lonca, Luka Azariashvili.
US Montalbanaise: Thomas Bue, Arnaud Feltrin, Mirian Burduli, Dimitri Vaotoa, Kevin Gimeno, Quentin Witt, Otari Giorgadze, Tyrone Viiga, Alexis Bernadet, Tedo Abzhandadze, Bastien Guillemin, Maxime Mathy, Leka Tupuola, Semesa Rokoduguni, Jerome Bosviel.
Subs: Cyril Deligny, Nicolas Agnesi, Alexandre Manukula, Tjiuee Uanivi, Fred Quercy, Anthony Meric, Juan Segundo Tuculet, Victor Laval.
