Baptiste Couilloud set for LOU return after concussion

Baptiste Couilloud is ready to resume his Lyon career this weekend after more than seven months away from competitive rugby. The scrum-half will be available when LOU travel to face Racing 92 in Créteil in the second round of the Top 14.

Couilloud’s last appearance came on 31 January, when Lyon won at La Rochelle. He suffered a serious concussion after a head impact from Levani Botia, who received only a yellow card. The 29-year-old then spent an extended period resting before beginning his return-to-training programme in July.

His recovery included every required contact stage, followed by two 30-minute periods for Lyon’s Espoirs last Friday without problems. Coach Karim Ghezal said Couilloud is now fully cleared to play. The France international has won 17 caps and scored four tries.

Couilloud will not return as Lyon captain. That responsibility remains with second-row forward Mikaël Guillard, who has 19 France caps. Ghezal said the priority for Couilloud is to rebuild his status as a player rather than immediately reclaim the armband. Born in Lyon, he joined the club at six and has made 196 appearances, scoring 412 points.