The start of the 7th day of the Top 14 created a big traffic jam behind the reigning champion Toulouse, runner-up to the last finalist Bordeaux-Bègles, before their evening trip to Pau, with no less than six teams separated by a single point. gap.
Toulon, Clermont and Castres with 19 points, Bayonne, Lyon and La Rochelle, host Sunday evening of the UBB and its South African bench in +7-1+ with 18 points: the race for qualification continues to whet appetites and everyone goes hungry.
Starting with Clermont (4th), opposed to the promoted Breton who once again opened the floodgates to Michelin for an offensive festival (55-33). In its plans, the ASM had surely counted on an improved success like against Pau and Bayonne.
It was done with a little scare, however, during the first act when the red lantern went ahead in the score. But the Jaunards reacted perfectly with no less than nine tries scored in total.
For Vannes, the elite’s learning continues and any possible retention will require an effective tightening of their defense.
Toulon (3rd), which remained on two setbacks away from Mayol, took a half to take the measure of Montpellier, coherent and in the lead at the break (10-6) before suffering. The entry of Baptiste Serin, author of a decisive interception, relieved the Varois who were ultimately victorious (30-17).
The MHR (12th) would surely have deserved more than an empty-handed return to Hérault to move away a little from Stade Français, still 13th and a barrier.
The Pink Soldiers, who played for an hour in numerical superiority after the red card of Castres center Adrea Cocagi, were unable to take advantage. Visibly affected by the crisis raging internally, they missed their start against a solid CO (5th), sure of its strengths, realistic and rewarded with an indisputable victory (35-13).
An outdated Racing
The disappointment of the Vannes players after their defeat in Clermont, October 19, 2024 / Sylvain THOMAS / AFP
Continuing its very good performance against La Rochelle at Anoeta (37-7), Bayonne (7th) recited its rugby for an hour in its usual den of Jean-Dauger against a Racing 92 (10th) often overwhelmed, who raised its head a little at the end of the match to soften the defeat and deprive Rowing of the offensive bonus (32-15).
The power of the future international pillar Tevita Tatafu, the reading of the game of Joris Segonds which we could also see in the list of 42 by Fabien Galthié, associated with the slaughter of the Basque pack – except in scrum – got the better of the Ile-de-France residents in difficulty in touch.
Finally, Perpignan (11th) had a lot to apologize for after its loss from Bordeaux (66-12) last weekend. He responded to a Lyon (8th) with sharp teeth, like Baptiste Couilloud who was still decisive, but not enough to secure a second success away from Gerland.
The Catalans, supported by their public, finally won narrowly (29-26) and can thus breathe a little in the standings with now four points ahead of Paris.
In the evening, Toulouse (2nd), magnified by the return of Antoine Dupont, will not have an easy time in Pau (9th) but a victory at Le Hameau would put pressure on the Gironde leader, once again reshuffled in the big leagues. widths Sunday in Deflandre.
