The Top 14 resumed their rights after a three-week fall break, Saturday, November 27, 2021, with indecision and suspense on the program. After three crazy matches, Montpellier, Perpignan and Biarritz ended up winning against Castres, Clermont and Stade Français. Overview of a thrilling 11th day.
The fact: the promoted Perpignan and Biarritz rebel
They had not known the taste of victory since October. The two promoted Perpignan and Biarritz went for two forceps successes on their lawn, against Clermont (26-24) and Stade Français (17-14) respectively.
The Biarrots led almost the entire meeting, despite a scare ten minutes from time when Stade Français scored their only try of the match, momentarily passing in front. Usap players, they endured the entire first period against unbridled Clermontois, before ending up in a cannonball. With these results, the two clubs clinch their fourth victory of the season, and temporarily leave the last two places in the standings.
The stat: 3 matches have been played in the last 5 minutes
Five minutes from the sirens, Clermont, Castres and Stade Français were in a position to clinch three precious away victories. Then a wind of madness blew on the lawns of the Top 14.
# TOP14 – J11
What an end of multiplex It was better to be well screwed on your seat or your sofa in front of your TV … @BOPBweb, the @MHR_officiel and the@usap_officiel played with the nerves of the supporters pic.twitter.com/UjRi6fudWq– TOP 14 Rugby (@ top14rugby) November 27, 2021
He first struck in Biarritz, where Bastien Soury flattened the ball in the opposing in-goal in the 75th minute, when the Parisians had just passed in front of the score. He then took the direction of Perpignan, where Alan Brazo took advantage of an action quickly played by his team to register the test of victory for Usap against the Jaunards (26-24), in the 79th minute. “We had come to Perpignan to do something, but the last ten minutes were fatal to us“, Sébastien Vahaamahina regretted with bitterness.
At the same time, madness also seized Montpellier, where Jan Serfontein’s test was granted by the referee after viewing the video, allowing Philippe Saint-André’s men to win after a tough battle. facing Castres (25-24).
The good series: La Rochelle, five victories in the last six games
Everything is better for La Rochelle. After a delicate start to the year, Ronan O’Gara’s men seem to have definitely launched their season. They are on a five-game winning streak over the last six games, including their quiet victory against Pau (36-8) this Saturday.
The Rochelais have never trembled and delivered a full match, facing Pau limited and overwhelmed by the pace of the match. Thanks to this enhanced victory, they consolidate their place in the top 6, and even climb to fourth place.
The injury: Mathieu Bastareaud out on a stretcher in Toulon
Mathieu Bastareaud surely imagined finding Mayol in other conditions. The LOU captain, who wore the Var jersey between 2011 and 2019, did not stay more than five minutes on the lawn on Saturday.
Public tribute @RCTofficiel for @BastaOfficiel #RCTLOU pic.twitter.com/LTS9yaBWh2
– Canal Rugby Club (@CanalRugbyClub) November 27, 2021
On a breakthrough attempt, he collapsed on his own in midfield, screaming in pain as he held his right knee. After several minutes of floating, he was evacuated on a stretcher, to the applause of the public.