Perpignan pays for the French Stadium
Last in the championship, Perpignan created a surprise by dominating (31-24) at Aimé-Giral the French Stadium, despite a good second half for the Parisians, including scrum-half Morgan Parra, whose talent is still intact and entered class. of play, was decisive on the last two tries of the Soldats Roses.
USAP, which took advantage of Parisian indiscipline (two yellow cards), remains last in the standings but is only three points behind Brive, its next opponent in the league.
As for the men of Gonzalo Quesada, second three points behind the Toulouse leader, they can harbor regrets, but no doubt they already had their heads in the shock that awaits them next weekend against Bordeaux-Bègles.
Russell delivers Racing 92
Things are better at Racing 92: the Ile-de-France, who had so far won only one of their last eight matches, brought down the ogre from La Rochelle (39-36) after a crazy match on Saturday, on the 16th day of the Top 14.
With a Finn Russell in verve at 8 out of 9 on foot – including the decisive penalty at the last second – Racing 92 climbed to 4th place, 7 points behind the Toulouse leader, who receives Montpellier on Sunday. The Racingmen’s last victory in the Top 14 dates back to December and a trip to Toulon (31-14).
La Rochelle, for its part, retains its place on the podium, behind the French Stadium and Toulouse therefore. But the caravel club misses the mark and sees its series of four consecutive successes come to an end, through the fault of the Scottish opener from Racing 92.
Clermont disillusioned in Lyon
For the first match of Christophe Urios at the head of Clermont, the Jaunards were disillusioned on the lawn of Lyon (34-14), conceding a sixth defeat in seven matches in all competitions.
The Auvergnats, who lost their captain Arthur Iturria then their hooker Etienne Fourcade too soon to concussions, suffered, against the Lyonnais (6th, 40 pts) who had four tries and who, thanks to this improved success, can prepare with serenity their trip to La Rochelle next weekend.
The proteges of Christophe Urios, now eleventh (31 pts), will absolutely have to do better when receiving Castres, the former club of their new manager, on behalf of the 17th day.
Castres still undefeated at Pierre-Fabre
Finalist last year but in poor shape this season, Castres finally returned to victory by winning the scalp of Bordeaux-Bègles (23-18) in his lair of Pierre-Fabre, where he has not lost since. more than two years. The Tarnais, who had not won in the league since a match against Pau (26-22) on December 4, absolutely had to react so as not to sink into crisis.
It’s done, and what’s more against UBB (5th, 40 pts), one of the teams in form at the moment. It remains to be confirmed next Saturday in Auvergne.
Bayonne stops Brive, Toulon recovers
In the other matches of the day, Bayonne, surprising 4th, rolled over Brive (37-9), stopping the good series of three victories in a row for the Corréziens: the Basques, by winning their eighth victory at Jean-Dauger in Top 14, have thus prepared their trip to Toulouse as well as possible next Saturday.
Toulon, after two defeats in a row, for its part dominated Pau (27-16), which continues to lose and can be worried about its end of the season.
The 16th day will end on Sunday with the clash between Toulouse (1st, 49 pts) and the reigning French champion, Montpellier (7th, 38 pts).
