Bordeaux, winner of Castres (33-12), La Rochelle, against weak Perpignan (43-8), and Racing, against Lyon (32-19), made a nice impression, Saturday September 17, during the third day of Top 14. At the same time, Brive and Bayonne were overtaken by Montpellier (26-31) and Stade Français (26-16), before Pau won against Toulouse (26-16) .
Toulouse sees red, Pau takes advantage
Stade Toulousain got lost in the Hameau. In the absence of Romain Ntamack, injured, and with Antoine Dupont resting on the bench, the Rouge et Noir lost against the Pau Section. If they managed to pick up three points from Pau thanks to a try from Emmanuel Meafou at the start of the second period (19-16), the Toulouse saw their hopes of victory fly away with the expulsion of Richie Arnold, guilty of direct contact to the head of an opponent.
The second red card of the season for the Stade after that of Alban Placines against Bordeaux-Bègles, as many in three games as in the whole of the regular phase last season. At 14, Ugo Mola’s men conceded the second try of the evening from Australian Jack Maddocks (26-16). The Section confirms its good start to the season with two wins in three games.
Victoire ! Our Béarnais win 26-16 against Stade Toulousain!
Congratulations to the players for this great victory, thank you to the 14,588 supporters present at the Hameau this evening!#SPST #TOP14 #HonhaSection pic.twitter.com/YrQ6ekooOa
— SectionPaloise (@SectionPaloise) September 17, 2022
Bordeaux-Bègles unblocks
Penultimate in the standings after their two defeats in as many games, the Girondins offered themselves a breath of fresh air at home against Castres. In the lead at the break, thanks to the good work of its forwards and a try scored after the siren (11-3), the UBB trembled but managed to manage its lead.
After a second try scored at the end of the match, the locals, well helped by the 18 penalties whistled against the CO, won 31 to 12. With this victory, they extend their invincibility against the vice-champions of France, against whom they have not lost since April 2019, seven games.
La Rochelle festival for the premiere of Teddy Thomas
Things didn’t drag out at the Marcel-Deflandre stadium where Stade Rochelais easily got rid of Perpignan despite high turnover. Barely four minutes after kick-off, Grégory Alldritt broke the Catalan lock and the La Rochelle wave followed. Half an hour into the game, the offensive bonus was already in the pocket for the Rochelais, who finally scored five tries (43-8).
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For his debut under his new colors, Teddy Thomas had bad luck in the first period, passing very close to scoring a try twice. For the first time, he saw Théo Forner intercept the ball just in front of him as he was about to flatten. For a second, he failed to get ahead of Eddie Sawailau in the in-goal. USAP is the last team not to have recorded a single victory. For its part, La Rochelle tops the Top 14.
Youth in power at Racing
The horizon is clearing up for Ciel et Blanc. Once the great emotion evacuated when Virimi Vakatawa, forced into retirement for heart problems, appeared on the lawn to the applause of La Défense Arena, the Racingmen ensured the show against LOU (32-19).
What a tribute for Virimi Vakatawa #R92LOU #TOP14 pic.twitter.com/XyCS2ouXnP
– CANAL + Rugby (@CanalplusRugby) September 17, 2022
Deprived of Gaël Fickou, the Ile-de-France club relied on its youth, like their second and third tries, scored by Max Spring and Inia Tabuavou in the first period. The two 21-year-old and 20-year-old players were also able to count on a decisive Nolann Le Garrec, before he gave up his place due to a twisted knee. Led 23-14 at half-time, the Lyonnais competed for a long time but their three tries were not enough to overthrow Racing.
Montpellier in pain against Brive
Rhythm, rhythm and more rhythm between Brivistes and Montpellier residents. Despite the possession and beautiful inspirations, the Corréziens lost to the reigning French champions, who had not won at Amédée-Domenech for ten years.
After Vincent Rattez’s early try in favor of the MHR, the locals multiplied the small errors, thus destroying the efforts of the back Thomas Laranjeira, author of a try but above all a 100% success against goal (4 penalties, 2 conversions). Opposite, Van Rensburg allowed the Héraultais to go back in front ten minutes from the end (26-29). Louis Carbonel, also author of a faultless against the poles (4 penalties and 2 transformations also), was decisive in ensuring a precious success for the men of Philippe Saint-André.
Stade Français overthrows Bayonne
The promoted turned their backs on Jean-Bouin but that was not enough. On a mission to close the gap on the scoreboard after a fine Basque start punctuated by a try from Sireli Maqala, the Parisians pushed on. Long clumsy like the end of the first period when they broke their teeth, the Roses overthrew everything in five minutes.
At 9-13, Maqala believed to kill all suspense by scoring a double. But his achievement was disallowed for a forward, before Stade Français was awarded a penalty try to return to 16-13. With its victory, Paris is in fifth place in the standings. Bayonne is penultimate.