A new day rich in lessons and emotions for French rugby. The 22nd day of Top 14 was marked by the tribute paid by Biarritz to the late Federico Martin Aramburu, a former Biarritz player assassinated in Paris on March 19, before the defeat of the club (19-42 against the Paloise Section) which rushes in Pro D2. Dam, the USAP suffered a new defeat against the leaders of Montpellier (13-23), the Catalans lose the opportunity to return to Brive.
For Toulouse, the time was not to celebrate in Castres. The Tarnais are back ahead of the Rouge et Noir in the standings after their victory (19-13). During the day, Clermont largely dismissed Brive (41-10) and returned to one point in the top six. Finally, Toulon has also repositioned itself with its success in Lyon (10-43). In the Bordeaux night, La Rochelle came to seek victory in the last moments against the second in the Top 14 (15-16). Important information: the Paris derby between Racing 92 and Stade Français remains to be played on Sunday evening, and could reshuffle a few cards.
The poignant tribute to Aramburu before the defeat of Biarritz
The weight of emotions was heavy in the Basque afternoon. At the Aguiléra Sports Park, the world of rugby paid tribute to the former star of Biarritz Olympique, Federico Martin Aramburu, murdered on March 19 in Paris. As if the head was elsewhere, the thoughts turned towards the former three-quarter Argentinian center, the Biarrots could not reverse the trend against the Paloise Section.
the @BOPBweb pays a vibrant tribute to Federico Martín Aramburú #BOSP pic.twitter.com/r8CRFlzsgv
– Canal Rugby Club (@CanalRugbyClub) April 2, 2022
In a lively match, illustrated by the eight tries scored during the 80 minutes, the Basques failed to meet the challenge imposed by the Béarnais. Because, at half-time, the locals were down 23-0, like a shipwreck. Even if the ship found its hull in the second period under the leadership of Lucas Peyresblanques, author of two tries, the soundtrack could not pick up the score.
The second act (19-19) was not enough for the Red and Green who lost (19-42) and put a few more studs in Pro D2 with eighteen points behind CA Brive, twelfth. For its part, the Section did a good job and moved up to tenth, five points behind sixth place Lyon.
The disappointment of Antoine Dupont and Toulouse
“We are not at the maximum of what we are capable of doing”, immediately regrets the one who is now captain of Stade Toulouse. The 19-13 defeat at Castres weighs heavily on the heads of the Haute-Garonne players. “On consistency, in involvement, the offensive dimension… I think we can do much better. We didn’t show our best face today, even if we were there in the intensity, the commitment and mindset. But that’s not enough.”
With this new setback, the tenth this season, they are now fifth in the standings. “In the position that we are going to occupy in the standings, we will no longer have too much room for error in the four league games that will come. From an accounting point of view, we will not have any comfort on the end of the season, so we hope that the whole group will be in good shape and involved until the end.” Ugo Mola’s players will have to refocus on the European Cup next weekend, and their match against Ulster.
Toulon eclipses Lyon and continues to believe in the play-offs
At the Stade Gerland, in Lyon, the weeks follow each other and look alike. Against the Racing club Toulonnais, the LOU did not find the resources to roar and had to suffer a defeat, the third in a row. After setbacks against Clermont and Toulouse, the Rhodaniens continue their descent in the standings and are now in a delicate sixth position. Because opposite, the Toulonnais arrived in full swing and confirmed their renewal.
If the first period was hung with a small point in favor of the Varois at the break, the second was a long calm river for the teammates of Gabin Villière, author of a test. At the final whistle, Franck Azéma’s players signed their fourth improved success in five games (10-43) and continued their rise in the standings. They come back on the heels of their opponents of the day, only three units from the play offs.
La Rochelle pays Bordeaux-Bègles on the gong
What suspense! At the Chaban-Delmas stadium, the Bordeaux supporters saw their team make a mistake in the last minute of the match. And in the exercise, the New Zealander Ihaia West did not tremble and offered a narrow success (15-16) but nevertheless essential for La Rochelle. Because with this success, the Maritimes climb to third place, tied with Castres Olympique.
Heroic and united, in a high-intensity match, the Yellow and Blacks won after the siren on the lawn of the@UBBrugbythanks to a penalty from Ihaia West !!! #UBBSR #Top14 #SRFever pic.twitter.com/cK40iDfMiH
— Stade Rochelais (@staderochelais) April 2, 2022
These kinds of encounters are played out on details. The teammates of Maxime Lucu, the only evening scorer for the Girondins (five penalties), experienced this and, while they were leading thanks to their international scrum half, the fault completely reshuffled the cards until bring down the Bordeaux castle. Result: Christophe Urios’ players let Montpellier slip away at the top of the Top 14, five units ahead and conceded their fourth loss in five games.