TOPS
The victory of Stade Rochelais over Bayonne (26-6) this Saturday evening should remain as a very good memory for the young Hugo Reus. After a discreet entry against UBB for his first Top 14 match, he stood out tonight. Professional holder for the first time in his career, at Marcel-Deflandre, he managed a complete match from start to finish. Author of a 100% against the poles, he scored 16 points tonight and was smart in managing with the kicking game. To his credit, two small balls played at the feet behind the Bayonne defense which allowed his team to progress and put pressure on the opposing team. Another promising young French opener to follow in the coming years.
If La Rochelle reigned with a master hand over this meeting, it is largely thanks to the blatant domination of its pack of forwards. Suffering in the scrum and overwhelmed in the physical challenge, the Bayonne forwards could only bow to such power. The two tests of the evening are also from a pick session
FLOPS
For Bayonne, winning at Marcel-Deflandre was already a feat but by being so undisciplined, the simple fact of bringing back a small defensive bonus point was impossible. Sanctioned by 15 penalties and two yellow cards, the Bayonnais gave too much ammunition to their evening opponents to hope for a happier ending. Adding the many errors or individual approximations to this indiscipline, it’s a match to forget for the Basques who probably see their hopes of top 6 disappear with this defeat to 0 points.
La Rochelle supporters must regret not having seen their team pocket the offensive bonus point. so total was the domination. While all the points will count on this end of the season, Ronan O’Gara’s men had the opportunity to score this third try but they were impatient and clumsy in the last gesture. Evidenced by the forward on the pass from Seuteni to Jules Favre (79 ‘) while the test stretched out his arms. If a point is missing on the evening of the 26th day, the Maritimes will be able to harbor regrets.