Le Racing 92 se replace
Still alive. Back to the wall, Racing 92, carried by the inspirations of Finn Russell, relaunched themselves in the race for the final phase by largely dominating Bayonne (55-14), Saturday, during the 24th day of the Top 14.
Racing was able to rely on its Scottish opener Finn Russell, in verve with twenty points and sharp runs, in particular this breakthrough which brought the first try of the Fijian winger Vinaya Habosi (38th), author of a double ( 77th).
Russell then distinguished himself by launching ideally Gaël Fickou (50th), also author of a double (80th + 3), then putting inside for Juan Imhoff (57th), who broke the Bayonne defense. Fabien Sanconnie (70th) then Kitione Kamikamica (72nd) finished driving the point home by securing the offensive bonus point for the best attack in the Top 14.
Sufficient to respond to the two Basque tests, by Guillaume Martocq (28th) and Pierre Huguet (67th). But above all to get back into the race for qualification.
The Ile-de-France club, which has never failed to qualify since its rise in the elite during the 2009-2010 season, climbs to 4th place, three points ahead of Bordeaux-Bègles, 6th and virtual last play-off. The Ciel et Blancs now have two matches, against Toulon then in Clermont, to validate their ticket for the top six.
The Basques, for their part, let go of the ballast and find themselves 8th (54 pts). They are still in the race but, with the reception of Clermont and a trip to Lyon, Aviron will have to take out the oars to hope to be the first promoted club to play in the final phase since … Racing 92.
Lyon plays with fire
Facing a team from Perpignan who were playing their skin in the Top 14, Lou played with fire (41-31). Xavier Garbajosa’s men only regained the lead five minutes from the end, thanks to a try from Baptiste Couilloud.
The Lyonnais won a crucial victory and now find themselves in fifth place. For Usap, it’s a double whammy since Pau atomized Castres (40-3) and now has an eight-point lead over the Catalans, thirteenth and virtual play-offs.
Clermont still dreams of Europe
Clermont, trailing 16-12 at the break, reversed the situation to win 32-16 at the expense of Stade Français at the Marcel-Michelin stadium, a success that keeps ASM in the running for Champions Cup qualification.
The Auvergnats, even obtained the offensive bonus on the wire with a fourth try scored at the end of the meeting by Damian Penaud (80 + 3), return to victory, their fifth consecutive at home in the league, after two defeats in a row at Pau (23-18) and La Rochelle (26-13).
They move up from 11th to 10th place and can still hope to reach 8th qualifying place for the Champions Cup temporarily occupied by Lyon with a five-point lead pending the results on Saturday evening. For their part, the Parisians remain third in the standings but nothing is decided for their qualification in the final phase.
In the other matches, the red lantern Brice went to win in Montpellier (26-27) and Pau crushed Castres (40-3).
Matches of the day
Clermont – French Stadium 32-16
Montpellier – Brive 26-27
Lyon -Perpignan 41-31
Racing 92 – Bayonne 55-14
Pau – Castres 40-3
9:05 p.m. Toulon – La Rochelle
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