Par Clement Mazella
Published on
After a Boxing Day that saw some surprises, such as the success of Bordeaux in La Rochelle or the spanking inflicted by the Stade Français on Racing 92, the first leg of the Top 14 is over. It’s time to shoot first with significant.
At the time of Rugby reveals his Tops et Failures of the first half of the championship. This concerns both clubs and players.
Tops
Of course, Toulouse, whose Le Stade series came out on 22 December, lost 3 times in the first leg. But Rouge et Noir have clearly been the most consistent, signing some great successes such as the successes in Bordeaux and Montpellier.
Still perfectible, with one faulty touch in particular, Toulouse knew how to win and perfectly manage the period without the internationals in the autumn. Pink City club features the best defense and second attack. Solid. The budget? 7 points ahead of runners-up at mid-season. Enough to have 2 jokers during the doubloons of the next 6 Nations Tournament.
- Stade Français completely behind Quesada
We admit it: as soon as we learned in late September/early October that Gonzalo Quesada would be deported in the summer of 2023, we saw a disastrous season coming for the French stadium, which also had a rather positive start to the 2022-2023 financial year. Except that this team seems to push hard behind its manager and driven by the desire to end the adventure well.
The Parisians showed great character. How can we not think about this incredible comeback in Pau at 14? And this humiliation inflicted on Racing 92 during the derby? In the middle of the season, Paris, which is the team that has won the most bonuses (7), surprises. And this team might not stop there…
If you read classification this December 26 you are not dreaming: the promoted Bayonne is practically qualified for the final round of the Top 14. This, not many expected at the beginning of September, when the Basque club took 40 in Toulon to start the season.
But there you have it, swept along by his fiery Jean-Dauger crowd, Aviron Bayonnais has decided to go undefeated at home. UBB, Racing 92, Toulouse, Lyon and La Rochelle all crashed there, just that. An essential solidity to ensure maintenance. But with 13 points ahead of the 13andDidn’t Bayonne give itself the right to dream more?
We could name Camille Lopez, Yoan Tanga or even Madosh Tambwe among the best recruits, but THE player of this first leg is Thomas Ramos. With the arrivals of Capuozzo and Jaminet, a hellish traffic jam was announced at the Stade Toulousain due to the backward position. Romain Ntamack’s early injury averted the problem.
Because Thomas Ramos masterfully slipped to the number 10 position at the Stade Toulousain. Very playful, good at animation, Thomas Ramos masterfully directed the Haute-Garonne game. And facing the posts, he was surgically accurate. 4and best playmaker in the leaguethe international averages over 15 points/game.
The Flops
The success in the derby against Clermont (20-16) may have revived. Brive. But the Red Lantern lived through 4 months of hell, including a chained 9-game losing streak. The CAB was the first to sack its manager (Jérémy Davidson), the infirmary was regularly full and the fans didn’t hesitate to express their anger, especially towards the club’s management. In short, Brive is last and must react.
Finalist last year of the championship, castres it was less to his advantage as the season began. Unbeaten at home (just like Toulouse and Bayonne), the CO can’t make it away from home, having recovered only 2 meager points. And since the Top 14 is narrow, this situation is synonymous with 12and place for the Tarnais. Nothing dramatic either: they’re just 5 points from 6and square. Beware, however, if Pierre-Fabre’s invincibility falls…
Ambitious after narrowly missing out on the final round of the Top 14 last year, Toulon seriously strengthened. But it is clear that his recruitment it does not live up to expectations. First, the Swiss Army Knife Jeremy Sinzelle : is just the shadow of the super player who was in La Rochelle.
The PRI Isaiah West, who had no competition for the position, didn’t really convince. So much so that the RCT went looking for Welshman Dan Biggar in November. Not helped by physical problems (just 6 games played), Waterfall is a far cry from his regular exploits at the Stade Français. The RCT expected much better from these three…
Cameron Woki ended 2022 with a disastrous derby match against Stade Français. The French international, who performs with the Blues, struggles to integrate into the game of Run 92.
Alternating in 2and or 3and line, Woki can not find his level in Bordeaux-Bègles. And the player was aware of this when he addressed the matter in early November 2022. “It was my decision to change club. It’s up to me to be better and adapt, it will come, I’ll ask you to be patient,” he said. Half of the top 14 has already passed…
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