The Section Paloise players must have enjoyed a fine festive period. Second in Top 14 and only a point behind Toulouse, the Béarn side have put together a storming first half of the season.

Sébastien Piqueronnies’ men are also seven points clear of third-placed Toulon. A comfortable cushion for a Pau side who play with ambition and are dangerous away from home too.

A string of injuries

For their next match at Lyon, Section Paloise will also be able to count on a heavyweight boost in the shape of Théo Attissogbe. Having suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain in a knee, the France international had missed several weeks with his club as well as the autumn tour.

An important return for a Section Paloise side already in form but hardly blessed when it comes to injuries. Behind, Piqueronnies and his staff are without Simmonds, Gailleton, Luc, Klemenczak, Manu, Laporte and Maddocks. Fortunately, the tireless Arfeuil, Grandidier-Nkanang and Brau-Boirie are there.