Top 14: the French Stadium and Clermont wake up, Toulouse takes off again
Toulouse, winner with a bonus from Perpignan, took over on Saturday at the top of the Top 14 after the defeat of its runner-up, La Rochelle, at the French stadium, which returned to victory during this 12th day, like Clermont and Bordeaux- Begles.
. The Toulouse “church” in its place
The back coach of Stade Toulousain, Clément Poitrenaud, wanted to “put the church back in the center of the village” after a series of three games without a win (two defeats interspersed with a draw) which had destroyed the capital of the Haut-Garonne club. at the top of the ranking.
Even if he took a long time to establish his superiority, the boss, sometimes rough, fulfilled his mission in accounting terms against Usap (34-13) with the offensive bonus.
Driven by the return of his internationals, including scrum half Antoine Dupont, who entered at the same time as Julien Marchand and Anthony Jelonch, he has an eight-point lead before the match on Sunday (9:05 p.m.) in Toulon from Racing 92, fourth.
The five-time European champions will still have to climb the cursor again for their entry into the running in the Champions Cup next week with the Irish of Munster.
. La Rochelle undergoes the Parisian awakening
By putting their title on the line against Northampton, the Rochelais will also have to show a better face than during their defeat on the ground of the French Stadium (27-14) on Saturday, especially in the second period.
Impressive last weekend against Castres (53-17), they suffered the Parisian awakening in the wake of a very good Sekou Macalou, author of a test.
After three unsuccessful matches, the Pink Soldiers are reassured and double their opponent of the day in the standings thanks to the bonus point snatched at the end of the match.
. Clermont breathes
Under pressure, Clermont suffered to end, against defending champion Montpellier (19-14), its series of four games without a win.
“You shouldn’t miss it,” breathed ASM international winger Damian Penaud afterwards, to whom the public at the Marcel-Michelin stadium proclaimed their love to convince him to extend his lease in Auvergne.
A mark of affection which may have disturbed her since, on a personal error, he offered the first try of the game to his vis-à-vis All Black George Bridge, for whom it was the first match under the colors of the MHR.
Fortunately for Penaud, who said he was still thinking about his future, the Clermont forwards reacted to a marvel of penetrating maul to allow an entire club to breathe.
. The UBB pressed Brive
The UBB also breathes a little better. The Girondin club won with the offensive bonus the match of fear against the red lantern, Brive (33-13).
Beaten in Perpignan last week for their first outing after manager Christophe Urios was sidelined, Matthieu Jalibert’s teammates, once again brilliant on Saturday, can continue to look up.
The electroshock is on the other hand still waiting for the Corréziens who chain a seventh consecutive defeat, despite the movement also on their bench.
. Bayonne sings in the rain
After Racing, Bordeaux-Bègles, La Rochelle and Toulouse, another big car in the championship, Lyon, fell in the Bayonne fortress of Jean-Dauger (19-7).
Thanks in particular to two drops from his opener Camille Lopez in the Basque rain, the promoted extended his invincibility at home, which could allow him to experience a serene end to the season.
The 12th day will continue on Sunday with Castres-Pau at 2 p.m. and Toulon-Racing in the evening.