Paris (AFP)
Racing 92, carried by Teddy Thomas and Teddy Iribaren, made a big blow, Saturday, during the 13th day of the Top 14, dominating Clermont (27-19) to climb to 3rd place in the ranking.
A few days before Fabien Galthié's first list, this XXL clash between ambitious in search of consistency offered an ideal scene to certain contenders, Thomas (one essay and many breakthroughs) and Iribaren (17 points, including one essay) in head, to show himself to the boss of the Blues.
After a big performance at Brive (44-20) last week, the Ile-de-France club also confirms with a fifth victory in a row, all competitions combined, which allows it to complete the go phase in the qualifying places for the final table of the France championship.
Too clumsy, unable to keep their hand on the ball, the Clermontois retreat them to 6th place.
Laurent Travers' men seem to have found the formula at home, where they have hitherto been too inconsistent, falling three times (against Bayonne 24-17, Lyon 31-20 then Bordeaux-Bègles 34-30).
"This match should allow us to enter the top 6. We are in a very important period for the rest of our season", had also estimated the Racing coach before the meeting. It has obviously been heard.
Better, the Racingmen have proven that they have the weapons to meet the physical challenge imposed by the Jaunards, with in particular their two Teddy in great shape four days from the list of 42 Blues for the Six Nations Tournament.
With a suffocating defense and balloons quickly carried forward, the Ciel et Blancs also showed realism, preventing at the same time the Clermontois from developing their game.
Because, despite the 14 points at the foot of Greig Laidlaw and a test by Penaud (55th), the ASM never seemed to disturb Racing 92. And the club of Auvergne could back down, by Sunday, out of the qualifying places for the final stages.
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