Four matches were played this Saturday for the 13th day of the championship. Clermont achieved a big blow by winning in Castres (20-23). At the same time and in pain, Bayonne beat Oyonnax (21-17) at Jean-Dauger while Montpellier won against Pau (22-17). Thanks to this success, the MHR is within one point of Perpignan (12th) and Oyonnax (13th). Lyon also defeated Perpignan in a duel at the end of the table (36-24).
After conceding the biggest defeat in its history in the Top 14 the previous day, in Toulouse (45-0), Lyon returned to victory in the league against Perpignan (36-24), Saturday at Gerland, and ensured the essential in this duel of poorly classified Top 14. Barrage at the kick-off of this 13th day, LOU Rugby had no room for error and moved up to 11th place, with 24 points, three more than USAP Perpignan and Oyonnax, 12th and 13th tied on points (21).
With scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud and fly-half Léo Berdeu returning from injuries, and Fijian center Semi Radradra starting for the first time this season at Gerland, the Lyonnais have built their success on their domination in scrum and touchline, the opposing indiscipline and the sight of the Georgian winger, Davit Niniashvili, involved in the three Lyon tests.
Two tries at the end of the line from the South African and New Zealand third lines, Arno Botha (7-0, 6th) and Liam Allen (18-3, 30th) got the Lyonnais off to a good start. Opener Léo Berdeu was effective against the poles (18 points, 6/6). In the second half, Baptiste Couilloud ensured success with a third try (33-10, 62nd) Largely trailing after the hour mark, the Perpignans prevented the Rhone residents from going for the offensive bonus thanks to two tries in end of the match of the Samoan third row Sootala Fa’aso’o (17-33, 70th) and the South African right pillar Nemo Roelofse (24-33, 75th).
Long powerless against the Pau defense in the second half, Montpellier ended up finding the fault thanks to its second line Florian Verhaeghe to win (22-17) and chain, for the first time this season, two consecutive victories in the Top 14. With this success, the MHR remains last but returns to one point from twelfth place. Having had a good start to the season, Pau conceded its third consecutive defeat in Hérault and sees its place in the Top 6 threatened.
After taking two points away at the Stade Français, Clermont brought home four from Castres by winning (23-20) at the Pierre-Fabre stadium, and came within two points of the qualifying places. In the fight for maintenance, Oyonnax has long believed in a good move in Bayonne. But the Basques finally took the advantage at the end of the match, thanks to winger Aurélien Callandret, to win (21-17). Saturday evening (9:05 p.m.), Toulon will try to restart the forward march at Mayol against La Rochelle, while Racing 92 will host Toulouse at the end of the 13th day on Sunday.