Stade Français at the top, Montpellier on the flop, that’s pretty much the summary to be drawn from the first five games of the 8th day of the Top 14, Saturday, October 22. The afternoon was very difficult for the Montpellier champion, in full discomfiture, beaten on the ground of Racing 92 (38-31). It’s not yet time to panic for the MHR, which had an equally painful start to the year last season, before lifting the Shield of Brennus.
After this opening match, all the teams playing at home won: Toulon (28-20 against Castres), Lyon (31-27 against Pau), Stade Français (27-0 against Brive), Bayonne (24 -20 against Perpignan).
Racing reassures itself and sinks Montpellier
The frustrated duel between Racing 92 and Montpellier turned in favor of the locals. The Racingmen dominated the MHR (38-31), depriving the Héraultais of the defensive bonus in the final minutes thanks to a 50-meter penalty from Finn Russell. The Parisians made the difference thanks to the indiscipline of the champions of France, who conceded a 21-0 during a numerical inferiority between the end of the first period and the start of the second.
Racing retains its invincibility at home this season and returns to balance: eighth with four wins for four losses. Fourth defeat in a row on the other hand for the teammates of Louis Carbonel, who called to “to question” at the final whistle, at the Canal+ microphone.
Big injured, the tile for Toulon and the Blues
Toulon pleased its public by winning against Castres (28-20) in a disputed match. The RCT remains in the Top 4 wagon. But it may have lost Jean-Baptiste Gros for a little while. The pillar was seriously injured and had to be taken to hospital with a fractured right forearm. The blow is as hard on the Rade as for the XV of France, when Gros applied for a starting place for the November tour, in the absence of Toulouse Cyril Baille.
Get well soon to Jean-Baptiste Gros
Suspicion of fracture in the forearm for the player of the @RCTofficial international @FranceRugby.#RCTCO pic.twitter.com/4nUQnsuEXE– CANAL + Rugby (@CanalplusRugby) October 22, 2022
27-0: Stade Français leaves Brive fanny and takes 2nd provisional place
The Stade Français has looked great in recent weeks. After rolling Perpignan in their last game at home, leaving USAP only three small points (52-3), Gonzalo Quesada’s players did even better on Saturday. The Parisians deprived Brive of the slightest point, while offering the offensive bonus (27-0). This third consecutive success allows the capital’s players to temporarily climb to second place, awaiting Sunday’s clash between Toulouse and La Rochelle.