Like the BOPB, the Section Paloise opened the ball of the oval victoriously, after an interminable truce. The season begins in a context of absolute uncertainty and in a climate of concern in the face of an epidemic which is recovering.
–Biarritz Olympique is shaping up to be one of the favorites for Pro D2. For its part, Stade Montois has chosen the youth card to find new ambitions.
In Top 14, Section Paloise and Aviron Bayonnais intend to take a step forward this season by aiming for the finals.
Montpellier-Pau (23-26) – The Section seized its chance
Everything changed in the 47th minute of play with the try refused in Montpellier and the expulsion of Camara (charge with the elbow forward). While the Héraultais were able to kill the match by taking a 17 point lead, the Béarnais regained their confidence and sought this success after the siren, with their guts and… their melee. The season could not have started better for Pau who will have to confirm next Friday with the reception of Agen.
It must be admitted that no one really believed in such a victory in this stadium deemed to be invulnerable, especially after a first half where Montpellier had shown itself to be far superior and could have definitely taken off, without a dazzling breakthrough from Hastoy sending The Lease on trial (24th).
It is therefore with the exit of Camara that the tide turned: the Héraultais began to chain faults, often stupid, losing the thread of their rugby; the Béarnais have regained energy and regained their confidence, seeing a great opportunity to be seized. In addition, at the hour of play, we felt the Héraultais tired and unreservedly to preserve their victory; perhaps the consequence of a truncated preparation with only one friendly match in the legs.
It is therefore the melee, the fatal weapon of the Béarnais at the start of the season, which sought the feat after the siren, by pushing in the blue pack and snatching a penalty attempt. Well done the “big guys”, thank you coach Thomas Domingo!
Brive-Bayonne – Rowing moves with gusto
Sunday September 6 at 8:45 p.m. (Canal + Sport)
Aviron Bayonnais knows that a severe fight awaits him in Corrèze, but he goes there without pressure and with ants in his legs. This meeting should also serve to prepare for the first home game against the formidable Jaunards.
The Basques have reinforced their workforce with some solid recruits such as New Zealander Joe Ravouvou (All Black Sevens); Australians Izaia Perese (Brisbane), Hugh Pyle (Stade Français) and John Ulugia (Clermont); the Englishman Sam Nixon (Bath), the Spanish Asier Usarraga (Biarritz); Gaëtan Germain (Grenoble) and Alexandre Manukula (Toulouse).
Three executive players have retired: Antoine Battut, Aretz Iguiniz and Census Johnston. Among the notable departures: Julien Tisseron (in Montpellier), Pieter Jan Van Lill and Benjamin Collet (in Valence-Romans), Emmanuel Saubusse (in Mont-de-Marsan), Setakiri Tuicuvu (in Brive), Edwin Maka and Sione Tau.
After a strong start to the Rowing season last season, the teams are warned. But, Bayonne intends to continue its progress and settle permanently in the elite of French rugby.
1st day of Top 14
- Friday September 4: Montpellier-Pau (23-26).
- Saturday September 5: La Rochelle-Toulon (3.15 p.m.); Agen-Castres, Lyon-Racing (6 p.m.).
- Sunday September 6: Brive-Bayonne (8:45 p.m.); Clermont-Toulouse (9 p.m.).
- Postponed: Stade Français-Bordeaux.
Day 2 of Top 14
- Friday September 11: Pau-Agen and Racing-Montpellier (8:45 p.m.)
- Saturday September 12: Toulouse-La Rochelle (3.15 p.m.); Bayonne-Clermont and Bordeaux-Brive (6.15 p.m.)
- Sunday September 13: Castres-Stade Français (8:45 p.m.) and Toulon-Lyon (9 p.m.)
Mont-de-Marsan-Béziers: With the desire to surprise
Monday September 7 at 7 p.m.
Funny start for this season. Covid obliges, the match will be played after the weekend. We are waiting to see the first face that this largely renewed team will show, bringing together experienced players with high potential and young people full of talent. All managed by Patrick Milhet, with young retirees Julien Tastet and Rémi Talès at his side.
Among the recruits to watch in particular: in third row, the Welsh international Dan Baker and the Argentinian Santiago Montagner; in the center, the Fijian Vereniki Goneva.
Biarritz-Perpignan (21-12) – A very promising first act
This Thursday evening, the Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque marked its territory, facing one of the top names in the Pro D2, confirming the fine intentions revealed during the preparation matches. A good thing before going to test yourself outside, with the Montalbanais.
The Basques largely dominated the first half (15-0) and could have killed the match with a little more success, especially with 10 minutes to 15 against 13 (two successive yellow cards for the Blood and Gold before the break) . Two essays by Saili and Barry illustrated the edge of this team and its cavalry. Back from the locker room, change of scenery: The Catalans got their hands on the game, coming back to the score. But with calm and control, the BO preserved a well-deserved victory.
A good performance with seven of the summer recruits who showed their ability to integrate quickly, including the former All-Black (29 years old, 2 caps) Francis Saili untenable in the center, and the Fijian Henry Speight, ex- international with Australia (32, 19 caps), striking at the back. Also showed great things: Brieuc Plessis-Couillaud (from La Rochelle) in the center, Gilles Bosch (Carcassonne) at the opening, John Dyer (Racing) in 3rd row, Kevin Gimeno (Castres) in 2nd row, and François Da Ros (Brive) on tailgating.
1st day of Pro D2
- Thursday September 3: Biarritz-Perpignan (21-12)
- Friday September 4: Angoulême-Provence (23-28), Valence-Colomiers (32-19) and Vannes-Aurillac (30-22)
- Saturday September 5: Grenoble-Nevers (8:45 p.m.)
- Monday September 7: Mont-de-Marsan-Béziers (7 p.m.)
- Postponed: Rouen-Carcassonne and Oyonnax-Montauban.
2nd day of Pro D2
- Thursday September 10: Perpignan-Mont de Marsan (8:45 p.m.)
- Friday September 11: Provence-Vannes, Béziers-Angoulême, Carcassonne-Oyonnax, Colomiers-Rouen, Nevers-Valence (7 p.m.)
- Saturday September 12: Aurillac-Grenoble (8:45 p.m.)
- Sunday September 13: Montauban-Biarritz (2 p.m.)
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