At the end of an intense and stressful match, Racing 92 won the standoff imposed by Castres (21-23) this Saturday. Same case for Perpignan in Oyonnax (14-15). Clermont returned to success by beating Pau (31-28) while Stade Français, provisional leader, won against Lyon (22-13).
Stade français, despite a very sluggish start to the match, retained its place as leader of the Top 14, after its home victory Saturday afternoon over Lyon (22-13) during the 19th day, thanks in particular to the contribution decisive from his bench. With three tries, all scored in the second period, the Pink Soldiers, who needed to reassure themselves after losing on the previous day in La Rochelle (23-3), remain at the top of the standings (59 points), ahead of Toulouse ( 55 pts), traveling Sunday evening to Bordeaux-Bègles.
LOU (12th, 38 pts), for its part, lost an opportunity to finally win its first away match of the season and it will absolutely have to strike a big blow during the 20th day against Bordeaux-Bègles in Gerland.
Despite four yellow cards in the second half, Racing 92 carried out an excellent operation by winning on the lawn of Castres Olympique (23-21) on Saturday during the 19th day of Top 14.
Worst team in the Top 14 during the doubles with 4 points taken out of 24, Racing (21-23) found color with the combined returns of its French internationals, Fickou, Le Garrec, Woki but also the Welsh Rowlands, all holders in the kick-off.
This second victory in a row for the Ile-de-France residents, the first after four consecutive defeats on the road, confirms the improvement seen on the last day against Toulon (20-6). Stuart Lancaster’s men provisionally climb to third place while awaiting the results of the other matches of this 19th day.
After two heavy away defeats, in Toulouse (33-6) and Lyon (34-19), the Tarnais, on the other hand, confirmed their poor dynamic after this third defeat of the season at home. A setback with unfortunate consequences since the CO fell to seventh place, three points behind its tormentor of the day.
Pau also had a role to play in this frantic race for the Top 6. Clermont, in a palpable lack of confidence in recent weeks, realized this during a first act of chase, the Section taking the lead, the Jaunards reacting with a character heralding a happy ending.
The try after the siren of the first act by Joris Jurand (21-14) blew up the Michelin, cooled before the hour mark by a second try conceded on interception to Théo Attissogbé before Baptiste Jauneau delivered the yellow people and blue relieved at the end of a game with eight tries (31-28). Oyonnax, who has still not experienced victory this year, was surely playing one of his last cards by hosting Perpignan, a play-off player in good form and supported by a colony of 500 noisy supporters.
Did they play a role during this shock of fear? Surely because if the Aindinois were able to take the lead on two winning penalties (12, 18), they also suffered a lot, also conceding two tries from wingers Tavite Veredamu and Ali Crossdale for a precious Catalan success in the race to maintain (15- 14).
