The Irish manager of La Rochelle Ronan O’Gara has estimated at “5%” the chances of seeing his international center Jonathan Danty, affected in the ribs, play in the semi-final of the Champions Cup against the English from Exeter on Sunday in Bordeaux.
At a press conference on Tuesday, O’Gara said Danty “is not with the squad, he’s working with the medical team, it’s 5% (chance of him playing against Exeter). There is a plan with him, a plan without him, but when you have a player like that, who is really different in Europe, it deserves to explore all the opportunities to have him on the team sheet. But the reality is 5%, because there is a risk of relapse. I don’t want there to be.”
Danty injured his ribs against Bayonne on April 15. Last week, the coach of the rear maritime lines Sébastien Boboul had mentioned an absence of 4 to 6 weeks and spoke of “a miracle to see him for the semi-finals”. “But with him you can expect anything,” he added. This is what he told me (…), that he was recovering quickly”.
In the event of a package from the tricolor center on Sunday, O’Gara does not plan to roll back the versatile Fijian Levani Botia who is for him, “one of the best 3rd line in the world. He will play in the 3rd line.
In addition, the Irish technician indicated that “all the signals are good” for the hooker Pierre Bourgarit (pubalgie) who has not played since the quarter-final against Saracens. “He hasn’t really tested himself and I’m in favor of leaving him quite alone until we know more.”
