"We know he's not a robot": Louis Bielle-Biarrey, out of the Top 14 semi-final against Toulon, the choice of reason for UBB

The decision was ratified Tuesday by the Union Bordeaux-Bègles staff. And it has far-reaching consequences. Louis Bielle-Biarrey must withdraw from the Top 14 semi-final against Toulon on Saturday evening (9:05 p.m.) in Lyon. For the recent winner of the Champions Cup, crowned on May 25 in Cardiff against Northampton (28-20), this is a huge blow given his impressive form in recent months. The international winger (21 years old, 19 caps) suffered a concussion during the match against Vannes (59-28) on June 7, during the finale of the regular Championship season, which ended in second place.

That evening, the Isérois left the Chaban-Delmas pitch with seven minutes left in the match after scoring his 32nd and 33rd tries of the season. On Tuesday, his withdrawal was first announced to the squad by his manager Yannick Bru. Then the information—which was supposed to remain secret—was leaked in the afternoon.

"We are losing one of the best players of the year in all competitions and a key player for the UBB ," regretted president Laurent Marti, contacted in the evening. Louis is our top try scorer (21 in as many matches since last summer at club level) and our X factor who has resolved a lot of situations. It is also perhaps the consequence of a high level of playing time at club level and with the French team, with whom he has played absolutely everything." With 2,237 minutes, including 640 with the Blues (8 matches played in full in November and then this winter) and 1,597 with the UBB, the best player of the last Six Nations Tournament is perhaps paying for the infernal pace of his incredible season. He is indeed the most used French international in 2024-2025.

During the training camp in the Landes, near Capbreton and Seignosse last week, "LBB" had been spared in the hope of a possible participation in this semi-final. He thought he could hold his place. He finally has to rest again. As a precaution, the staff did not want to take unnecessary risks. "We must not forget that he is a player who will be 22 years old (Thursday) and who, for two years, has tirelessly accumulated minutes and minutes of play, and personal successes , said Bru on Monday. We must be reasonable with him. (...) We know that he is not a robot and that at some point, he can be overexposed. We give him the rest time he needs and whenever we can give him a rest, we do it. It is not easy with Louis at the moment and at some point we will have to ask ourselves the question of the rest we give him."

If Bielle-Biarrey qualifies for the final on June 28 at the Stade de France, against Toulouse or Bayonne, we understand that this time, they should be able to hold their place. Until then, they will, of course, have to replace them this weekend. Two options are reportedly on the table. The first involves Arthur Retière. The second, favored by the coaching staff but not yet finalized, involves fielding Pablo Uberti, who started in the 27-10 defeat to Toulon at Mayol on June 1.

We should also know more in the coming hours about the health of Australian second-row Adam Coleman. He is still very uncertain due to a sore shoulder. Scrum-half and captain Maxime Lucu (crutch), full-back Romain Buros (hamstring) and right prop Sipili Falatea (concussion) are also hoped for but without any certainty. "We have positive signals ," Bru explained on Monday. "The three are in favourable waivers, but the answer will be given Wednesday at noon after our intense session." And for the moment, we are still very cautious in the UBB ranks.