The 30-year-old, rifler, Jackz will be have big shoes to fill in the superteam at ESL Pro League Season 17

Team Vitality star Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen will not be appearing in one of Europe’s biggest bi-annual tournaments in the CSGO scene, with the veteran going on paternity leave ahead of the birth of his child. With less than a week to go until the start of ESL Pro League 17, an official statement was released on the organization’s website, announcing that the team will be bringing in HEET’s entry fragger, Audric “JACKZ” Jug in his stead. 

JACKZ registered instead of dupreeh in Vitality’s EPL lineup https://t.co/SaMecAnVs8

— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) February 16, 2023

Following HEET’s roster changes back in late January, JACKZ was replaced by Lucas “Lucky” Chastang, who returned to the active roster after being out since August 2022. At the time, the organization also brought in Bryan “Maka” Canda. 

The champions of EPL 16 will be back as a French majority team for the first time since 2021. They are in Group C, and will begin their title defense with a match against Australian underdogs Grayhound on March 8. 

The Upper Bracket Quarterfinals of Group C will also feature matches between another Australian team Rooster and Intel Grand Slam aspirant FaZe Clan, and Brazilian hopefuls paiN and the struggling Swedes of Ninjas in Pyjamas. Meanwhile, the Epitácio “TACO” de Melo-led 00NATION will face an OG on the rise. The Triple-Elimination Bracket format will also make for an exciting twist to the lengthy tournament.

According to sources, dupreeh will be reinstated into the team shortly after welcoming his first child, before the French side is ready to play in the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 Regional Major Rankings in April. 

Until then, here is what the upcoming EPL squad will look like for Team Vitality:

• Lotan “Spinx” Giladi (Israel)
• Audric “JACKZ” Jug (France)
• Dan “apEX” Madesclaire (France)
• Emil “Magisk” Reif (Denmark)
• Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut (France)
• Coach: Danny “zionic” Sørensen (Denmark)
• Substitute: Mathieu “MaT” Leber (France)