In Top14, Aviron Bayonnais, which was coming back to business after a long forced break, finally cracked against a Section Paloise, which absolutely needed to react after another defeat at home against Clermont. In Pro D2, the BOPB once again caused a sensation outside and can aim for the place of dolphin. The Stade Montois was largely dominated by the leader, Perpignan.
–Bayonne-Pau (22-23): a matter of rhythm
With this away victory, the Section Paloise can believe in a new start that would allow him to move away from the red zone by consolidating a solid mind. With this narrow defeat at home, Bayonnais Rowing can be positive by having succeeded in compensating for his lack of rhythm and automatisms due to a too long forced pause, by a promising strength of character. One thing is certain, the two teams will have to fight to the end with three other teams (Brive, Castres and Montpellier) who will not let go and who each have significant advantages.
From the start, Pau took the Basques by the throat with a powerful and fast game. They came close to making a significant break with two attempts refused for a few centimeters. But, Rowing held, by dint of courage and solidarity, responding to a test from Le Bail (19th) with a test from captain Monribot (40th), to turn in the lead at the break (19-16).
When they got back from the locker room, Rowing continued to take matters into their own hands, and the attempt refused to Boniface for a few inches could have been the turning point of the match. At the hour of play, it was the Pau scrum which again made the difference, by martyring the local pack 5 meters from its line. Result: a test from Votu, a yellow card for Mousset and an advantage in the score for the Béarnais (22-23). In the last minutes, Bayonne offered an opportunity to win on a penalty near the opposing line, but Pau’s counter was decisive.
The Basques will continue with a capital series, since after a trip to La Rochelle (Friday January 22), they will welcome competitors for the maintenance: Agen (January 30), then Brive (February 13). A trip to Clermont (February 20) and the reception in Lyon (March 6) will follow.
Pau, for its part, will receive Brive next weekend (Sunday, January 24): another rival at the bottom of the table. A big series will follow with two difficult trips to Lyon (January 30) and Toulouse (February 13); then the reception of Toulon (February 20) and an expedition to Bordeaux (March 6).
Catch-up matches
Bayonne-Pau (22-23), Bordeaux-Clermont (16-16), Montpellier-Castres (19-21)
Sunday: Racing-Toulon (9:05 p.m.).
Top 14 ranking
Eight clubs are in the race for the finals, while 5 more are competing to avoid the relegation play-off. Agen is almost doomed to Pro D2.
- Direct qualification for the semi-finals: Toulouse (47), La Rochelle (44, 1 match less)
- Qualification for the play-offs: Racing (41, 2 matches less), Clermont (35, 1 match less), Bordeaux (35), Lyon (34, 1 match less)
- Ranking midfielder: Stade Français (34, 1 match less), Toulon (33, 2 matches less), Castres (29, 1 match less), Brive (26), Pau (25), Bayonne (21, 2 matches less)
- Relegation: Montpellier (20, 2 games less), Agen (2)
19th day of the Top 14, advanced
Friday 22 January : La Rochelle-Bayonne (8:45 p.m., Canal + Sport).
Saturday 23 January : Racing-Bordeaux (3.15 p.m., Canal +); Agen-Toulouse, Clermont-Castres, Montpellier-Lyon (6.15 p.m., Canal + Sport and Rugby +).
Sunday January 24 : Pau-Brive (2:45 p.m., Canal +); Toulon-Stade Français (9:05 p.m., Canal +)
Other late matches rescheduled
Weekend of February 6 and 7 : Montpellier-Stade Français, Clermont-Lyon, Castres-Bayonne and Racing-La Rochelle.
Weekend of February 27 and 28 : Toulon-Bayonne.
Vannes-Biarritz (14-16): confirmation of a big ambition
After having brought down Oyonnax and Grenoble on their land, the Biarritz Olympique Basque Country managed to gain the upper hand over the Bretons, another contender in the finals. With a late match, he is now relaunching himself in the race for a direct qualification in the semi-finals. For that, it will be necessary to avoid being surprised in Aguiléra by Montauban (Saturday January 23 at 9 p.m.).
This may be a major turning point for the season for the Basques who have offered themselves an additional dose of confidence mid-season. Everything had, however, started badly with a surprise try from the Bretons in the 3rd minute, then a yellow card for Artru (forward voluntary in the brand zone).
The BO was able to keep calm and tighten its defense to avoid being dropped, remaining at a reasonable distance with a maximum gap of 8 points (6-14, in the 50th). And he was able to give the necessary boost to take advantage of a numerical inferiority by unrolling a devastating ball carried, concludes by Lucas Peyresblanques (54th). A penalty allowed the BO to regain the score 10 minutes from the end and hold until the end.
Mont-de-Marsan-Perpignan (7-30): not in the same category
After his great victory in Angoulême, last weekend, the Stade Montois fell from high against the Catalans. They remain in the red zone and will have to recover for the reception of Aurillac on Friday.
Yet the Landais had started the meeting perfectly by dominating the debates. And it was Naituvi who, with a small personal achievement in the 3rd minute, made this good start a reality. But the big team Sang et Or quickly began to unfold, putting pressure on their hosts. At the break, nothing was done (7-13). However, we felt that the Montois would have a hard time holding on.
The second period was one-sided, the power of Perpignan hurt a lot. Two other tries came to swell the score without the Mons getting to be really threatening.
16th day of Pro D2
Vannes-Biarritz (14-16), Mont-de-Marsan-Perpignan (7-30), Colomiers-Carcassonne (37-13), Aurillac-Béziers (43-12), Grenoble-Angoulême (25-20), Nevers -Provence (23-19), Valence-Rouen (14-9), Montauban-Oyonnax (23-17)
Pro D2 ranking
The Pro D2 is split into 4 groups. First, Perpignan and Vannes who took the lead. Three well-placed teams follow for the final stages: Oyonnax, Biarritz and Colomiers. Then, 7 teams remain in the running to try to qualify. Finally, 4 teams are in a fight for the maintenance, even if Mont-de-Marsan with 2 games late can hope to take a little air.
- Direct qualification for the semi-finals: Perpignan (58), Vannes (54),
- Qualification for dams: Biarritz (45, 1 match less), Colomiers (44, 1 match less), Oyonnax (41, 1 match less), Nevers (40)
- Ranking midfielder: Provence (33, 1 match less), Béziers (32), Aurillac (31), Montauban (31, 1 match less), Grenoble (30, 1 match less), Valence Romans (25, 1 match less), Carcassonne (25, 1 match less), Rouen (24)
- Relegation: Mont-de-Marsan (22, 2 games less), Angoulême (19)
17th day of Pro D2
Thursday January 21 : Rouen-Grenoble (7 p.m.); Perpignan-Colomiers (8:45 p.m.)
Friday 22 January : Provence-Valence, Angoulême-Nevers, Mont-de-Marsan-Aurillac, Oyonnax-Carcassonne (7 p.m.)
Saturday 23 January : Biarritz-Montauban (9 p.m.)
Sunday January 24 : Béziers-Vannes (5.30 p.m.)
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