Paris (AFP)
Bordeaux-Bègles is the new leader of the Top 14 after its victory over La Rochelle (20-15) Sunday during an 11th day marked by the victories at home of Racing 92 and Stade Français, always a red lantern.
Two meetings, Agen - Toulouse and Castres - Lyon, suffered power cuts claimed by the CGT, opposed to the pension reform. They were able to complete after a short break.
. Bordeaux never stops
If the UBB regales since it is directed by Christophe Urios, the gala match (in theory) against La Rochelle will not be remembered. We will rather remember that this narrow success allows the Girondins to be the first to dethrone Lyon, leader since the start of the season.
It was inevitable in view of the states of form of the two teams: Bordeaux has not lost since mid-October and continues a 7th match without defeat, Top 14 and European Challenge combined, while Lyon, with an opposition certainly superior in Cup of Europe, won only 2 of 8 matches over the same period.
The Lyonnais again stalled at Castres (29-12), their second large back-to-back after Montpellier (33-8). Pierre Mignoni's team will have to fill up on points over the next two days against two "youngsters", Bayonne and Agen, before blowing into the European Cup in which it is already out of the race.
. Toulouse leads the pack
Because behind, Toulouse (3rd), after a mixed start to the season without its internationals, continues to gain strength as in the standings. The French champion won his 7th row victory, the first away, on the field of Agen (13-8).
Behind, the pack of pursuers can just as easily target the play-offs as they can fight not to descend since 9 clubs out of 14 stand in 3 points!
In the middle of this not really soft belly is Racing (9th), which found its way to success at the Arena by beating Montpellier (29-25). The MHR came close to a big performance for the first of the South African world champion Handré Pollard, who left 8 points en route to the poles. "It's not good enough, but I'm optimistic for the future," said the Springbok opener.
Fortunately for Racing, whose room for maneuver is narrow as a final monstrous European block looms (Munster and Saracens) in January. Meanwhile, there is a trip to Brive, intractable at home and returned from Bayonne with the two points of the draw (6-6), and the reception of Clermont ...
. Paris blows for Christmas
Julien Arias and Laurent Sempéré, the coaches of the Stade Français, this week touted the progress of their team in training. The result in the match is still not impressive but the club of the capital finally won, after three losses in a row, against Pau (21-18).
It took very little, and it will be necessary to show something else in Montpellier then against Toulouse to hope to come back to Agen (13th), the current barragiste which has 3 more units, and Pau (12th), first non relegation.
The Section is going to have to go for at least one game from its flagship rookie, winger or rear end Ben Smith. For his debut in the Top 14, the ex-All Black (33 years old, 84 caps) was excluded for a bit of elbow-to-throat fuss. "A reflex gesture", for the hooker and captain Quentin Lespiaucq who regrets this decision.
© 2019 AFP