Tops
Defeated last week in Lyon (27-15), the lily-of-the-valley club knew that it had no right to failure for its first home game and to dismiss the ghost of a missed first block of match, as this had been the case in recent years. Drafts and uninspired, the men of Pierre Mignoni did the minimum in the absence of 13 international selected in selections.
Obviously disappointed, Baptiste Serin returned on Wednesday from Capbreton where he learned of his non-selection for the Rugby World Cup (September 8 – October 28). The scrum half, who had asked Pierre Mignoni to start this game on the bench, was simply excellent. He set more pace, and stood out by scoring his team’s only try on a messed up ball (64th) following a penalty from Hervé on the post. The former UBB set the pace and largely allowed his people to win.
Admittedly, he no longer runs as much as before, but the Rowing flyhalf has delivered a new almost perfect management score. With his ultra-precise kicking game, the ex-Clermontois gave his people some air and regularly won the kicking battle against Hervé and Luc. He was also skillful against the poles, while his two conversion attempts were in the corner.
RCT recruitment star Alun Wyn Jones (37) took his first steps in Mayol this Saturday evening. And the Welsh giant, if he does not have his activity of yesteryear, was generally to his advantage, giving valuable advice to his teammates and allowing several counterattacks in touch. The most capped player in world rugby (158 sel.) also stood out with a long action played… in socks, and the shoe in the shorts.
Flops
The absences of Maqala and Rasaku, even of Hodge who is due to arrive on the Basque Coast in the coming weeks, have highlighted a lack of creativity among the Bayonne rears. The rare lag situations came from incoming Callandret, straight from Pro D2 and Oyonnax. Apart from a few attempts by Tiberghien, the other players lined up tonight were muzzled and too messy.
It was the black point of the last season and it still does not seem to be resolved: the Bayonne alignment has been jostled again on its throws. Faced with well-organized Varois in this sector, several opportunities were left on the way. Giudicelli, the holder, and Bosch, his replacement, also made throws not straight. In short, there is still work for the surprise team of the last Top 14.
