Bordeaux new leader after victory against Toulouse
The shock was expected. The Bordeaux-Bègles Union came out victorious against the Toulouse leader in the derby of the Garonne. With this success (17-7), the UBB is two points ahead of the championship over the Rouge et Noir, who had been in charge since mid-September before their failure at the Chaban-Delmas stadium, which was packed ( 33,000 spectators) for this gala meeting.
“This match is important for the club,” said Bordeaux-Bègles coach Christophe Urios, who did not despair of taking revenge on his pet peeve. The Girondins remained on five defeats in front of the club with 21 national titles (record), including two in the semi-finals last season, in the championship and in the European Cup, competition also conquered by the Toulouse.
Jalibert injured
If the UBB had checked the date of December 4 in its calendar, Toulouse too. His trainer Ugo Mola had taken out the heavy artillery by recalling six of the heroes of the record victory of the XV of France in front of New Zealand (40-25), on November 20 at the Stade de France, including the blue hinge composed of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack. The UBB, it found its official opener, Matthieu Jalibert replacing Ntamack against the All Blacks. But the Bordeaux N.10, hit in a thigh, left his partners at the break after scoring the first points of the match on penalties (6-0).
In the second half, the third international line François Cros sounded the Toulouse revolt with a test of strength. But Bastien Vergnes Taillefer, entered on injury from Bordeaux captain Mahamadou Diaby, responded by resisting a tackle from Toulouse. The international scrum-half Maxime Lucu, applauded by his supporters, took over from Jalibert at the foot and put his team to safety. UBB can now prepare for its reunion with the European Cup next Saturday against the English Leicester, with the feeling of duty accomplished.