With retention in the Top 14 in hand, USAP recruitment will accelerate. Some files are even already closed.
The USAP has been officially maintained since this Sunday, June 14 and its success on the lawn of Provence Rugby (24-47). Things will now speed up, particularly in terms of recruitment.
If left pillar Enzo Forletta (Montpellier), right pillar Marco Riccioni (Saracens), second row José Madeira (Grenoble), scrum half Luke McGrath (Leinster), centers Braydon Ennor (Crusaders) and Maëlan Rabut (Oyonnax), and winger Sevu Reece (Crusaders) have officially signed several months ago, there are still files to be confirmed.
Among them, the right pillar Cedate Gomes Sa (32 years old, 1.85 m, 113 kg) from Lyon, as well as the third or second Australian line from Bordeaux Lachlan Swinton (29 years old, 1.95 m, 113 kg). The file for 10 is also to be finalized, with the very probable arrival of the Irishman Ross Byrne (31 years old, 1.91 m, 92 kg). His signature was conditional on USAP remaining in the Top 14. Will Catalan recruitment be completed after these three formalizations? Nothing is less certain.
Nicolas Godignon defense coach ?
Another major issue: finding a defense coach. The Englishman Joe Worsley will join Pierre-Henry Broncan in the Georgian selection this summer. Laurent Labit looked at several profiles, notably that of Bordeaux native Christophe Laussucq. But it is Nicolas Godignon who should join the blood and gold staff from next July. Historic coach of CA Brive between 2011 and 2018, the 51-year-old technician had been in the United States for two years. He was coach of the NOLA Gold in New Orleans. An American franchise that Kélian Galletier, former USAP third line (2022-2024), had joined.
Looking for a new project, Nicolas Godignon – who also coached the Pau forwards (2019-2020) before being the manager of Rouen (2021-2023) – should therefore strengthen Laurent Labit’s staff.
