Top 14. Montpellier continues, UBB still in slow motion, Toulouse provisional leader
Crossed destinies: while Bordeaux-Bègles fell in Bayonne (20-15) for the third time, Saturday during the 4th day of the Top 14, Montpellier fueled against Pau (43-17) and Toulouse hard against Racing 92 ( 37-10).
Toulouse takes power
A week after stumbling in Pau, Stade Toulousain took revenge by venting their nerves on Racing 92 (37-10): the Rouge et Noir scored four tries through Emmanuel Meafou (23rd), Matthis Lebel (32nd), Ange Capuozzo (65th) and Sofiane Guitoune (74th), while muzzling the Sky and White, limited to three small points in the second half.
Antoine Dupont’s teammates can savor. Thanks to this success, they settle at the top of the Top 14. Dominated by Bayonne, the Racingmen, worn out or even outclassed in Toulouse, are still looking for their first success away from the Arena. In La Rochelle next week.
Perpi’ blows out her candles
For its 120th anniversary, Usap has put the dishes in the big ones. Despite the torrential rain, the Catalan club tamed Toulon (19-13), thus winning their first success of the season.
“We were under a lot of pressure. It was urgent to react. We had to win at all costs. The manner, we did not care a bit. What is important was the four points”also blew the third line Alan Brazo after a tough match against the uninspired Var.
Montpellier as a patron
Solid in the first period, then impressive in the second, the MHR lived up to its status: six tries, an offensive bonus point, a demonstration in front of Pau (43-17) and a temporary first place in the standings. If it was stolen a few hours later by Toulouse, the men of Philippe Saint-André can have a smile.
The reigning French champion relied on his physical and collective superiority to tame the Section, yet Toulouse fell a week ago. The Héraultais, who remain on three consecutive successes, will precisely go to rub shoulders with Toulouse in a week.
UBB wakes up too late
Nothing is going well in Bordeaux. Its success against Castres, last week, is already forgotten: this time, the UBB stumbled in Bayonne (20-15). His third loss in four days. For a self-proclaimed title contender, that looks bad.
After Racing 92, it is therefore another cador who comes to break his teeth on the Basques. Rowing, with courage, was able to resist the return of Matthieu Jalibert’s teammates (10 points, including a try). For the Girondins, the arrival of Stade Français, another injured beast, will look like a test.
Le Lou bites Paris
Carried by its star Davit Niniashvili, author of two tries, and on its striker Fletcher Smith (18 points, including a try), Lyon put an end to two defeats in a row by dominating the French Stadium (33-27). Shaken by eye-catching Parisians, the Lyonnais were too undisciplined but, despite two yellow cards (Dumortier 32nd, Mignot 76th), were able to hold on.
Finally Castres, who fell from Brive (12-6) in difficulty, got scared but the CO managed to extend their invincibility at home, which has lasted since December 2020. Continuation and end of the 4th day on Sunday, with the leader rochelais on the move to Clermont. A clash between the two best attacks of the Top 14.