Paris (AFP)
A year-end with a bang: the Bordeaux-Bègles Union had a fourth success in a row in the Top 14, Sunday in Pau (27-23), to finish 2019 at the top of the ranking at the end of the 12th day .
. Jalibert is the foot
Lyon had put the pressure on Saturday by crushing Bayonne (52-9) to take back the occupied leader's chair from the first to the 11th day.
But Christophe Urios' UBB, still on a honeymoon with the former Castres who arrived in the summer, waited too long to be the first in the class to immediately abandon this honorary distinction, acquired for the first time in his story last week.
So at the Hameau stadium, the Girondins again recited their performance around their conductor Matthieu Jalibert, more than ever candidate for a place in the XV of France for the Six Nations Tournament. Cross and kick to follow: the opener offered a double to winger Sergio Cordero who made all the difference. Even if a clearance countered by the N.10 allowed the Section to deprive the Bordelais of the offensive bonus.
. Cadors raise their voices
The UBB is not the only cador to have put out the gloves during this period around "Boxing Day". In addition to Lyon, which did not have to force its talent against Rowing, Racing 92 and La Rochelle had plenty of points with an improved victory. And a leap in the ranking by taking over the barrage places (La Rochelle 4th, Racing 6th).
Under the guidance of a hinge Finn Russell - Teddy Iribaren very inspired, the players of Hauts-de-Seine were impressive mastery in Brive (44-20), putting an end to a year and a half of invincibility of Corréziens in their lair, Top 14 and Pro D2 combined.
The Rochelais are still unbeaten in the championship at Marcel-Deflandre after the correction inflicted at Agen (40-8). But they especially seduced by displaying a level of play rarely seen since the start of the season. Confirmation expected the following weekend in Pau before the last European block.
. Paris continues its recovery
Like Stade Rochelais, Montpellier has alternated the good and especially the less good since the start of the season. And while the other heavyweights shone during the weekend, the Handré Pollard effect is slow to be felt in the Hérault. For the first home opener of the South African world champion, the MHR conceded a draw (20-20) against the Stade Français, yet red lantern.
Perhaps more than the result, it is the way that questions: after a good first quarter of an hour, the players of Xavier Garbajosa suffered the visitors' game and multiplied the fallen balls, before avoiding a first setback at home thanks to a start at the end of the match. The MHR will have to do better next Saturday against Brive.
The Parisians were divided between the satisfaction of a first trip without defeat and the frustration of having passed so close to a blow. The positive still prevails: victorious from Pau (21-18) the previous week, the team in pink regained confidence and almost caught up with Agen, 13th and current barragiste with one more point.
© 2019 AFP