Top
Arriving from Grenoble this summer, the Bordeaux third row is gradually discovering the Top 14 under its new colors. After standing out this summer during the U20 World Championship, during which he led the Bleuets to the final victory as captain, he is now splashing the championship with his talent. Friday evening, he scored his first try with UBB, after a race along the line like a winger. His mobility is surprising for a third line, and is another weapon in the Girondins’ impressive arsenal.
Displaying a dream team at the start of the championship, the UBB nevertheless had difficulty getting started. During the first seven matches, the Girondins lost four times. But in recent weeks, which coincide with the return of the globalists, Yannick Bru’s men have started moving forward. Friday evening, they scored a fifth consecutive victory, between Top 14 and European Cup. Better still, they temporarily take a place on the championship podium and gain confidence. The Bordeaux team gives the sensation of gaining strength, and the clash in Clermont next Friday will be closely scrutinized.
Considering Nicolas Depoortere’s match on Friday evening, one wonders if he could not have played before. the Bordeaux center impressed with his physical impact, and won an impressive number of duels. He also scored a try in the 49th minute (the third for UBB) after a well-judged pass fake. In a three-quarter line which is frankly frightening, he finds his place perfectly. The icing on the cake was that he covered 58 meters with the ball in hand and beat two defenders. A routine now for him.
Flops
If the final score shows a loss suffered by the Lyonnais, it was not like that throughout the match. In the fortieth minute, the Rhone residents were even ahead, managing to repel the opposing attacks. But just before the break, Romain Taofifenua was guilty of an uncontrolled head-to-head tackle on Buros. A gesture synonymous with exclusion, which the Bordelais took advantage of to score a try just before returning to the locker room. In the second half, LOU was unable to compete with its opponent, and left with a suitcase. Which perhaps would not have been so heavy if the experienced second row had remained on the pitch.
Yes, we had to find a mistake in this almost perfect evening for the residents of Chaban-Delmas. And she is all found. Archi-dominant in all sectors of the game, Jalibert’s teammates let five balls escape in touch. Wrong throws, bad combinations, against Lyon… the reasons were diverse and varied, and had no consequences. But in a higher level match, you will have to tighten the screw so as not to waste any keys.
With this new defeat, the seventh of the season, the Lyonnais confirmed their recent difficulties. Calibrated to play at the top of the table and invite himself to the final stages, Lou proved this evening that he was far from it this season. The executives lined up on the pitch were bankrupt, like Taofifenua but also a too passive Baptiste Couilloud. A failure of leaders which is costly, and which worries for the future. Thanks to its improved success, Perpignan came back to within three points of the Rhone residents. And Montpellier will perhaps not display its current level all season. Next Saturday’s meeting against MHR could well be approached with fear in the stomach by the Rouge et Noir.
