Paris (AFP)

The rugby Top 14 came close to the quack: after 187 days without a match, a power cut interrupted the opening game of the season for ten minutes, won by Pau in Montpellier (26-23).

Bordeaux-Bègles - French stadium postponed;

positive cases in Montpellier, Lyon, Toulouse, Agen, Clermont or at Racing 92;

a power cut after just three minutes of play;

three attempts refused;

a penalty try in the 80th minute ... the Top 14 therefore picked up the pace.

But remains under the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Because the health protocol, put in place by the National Rugby League is clear: three cases within the professional group three days from a meeting will result in its postponement.

UBB and Stade Français, respectively first and last when the season ended in March, were the first victims.

With around twenty positive players, the Parisian club was indeed unable to present six first lines out of the 23 players listed on the scoresheet.

The LNR had anticipated and decided with Canal + to schedule two matches on Friday and Sunday evenings "just in case" ... Suspense level, the broadcaster was served with its opening match 'bis'.

The penalty for Palois Antoine Hastoy after just three minutes, the first points scored in the Top 14 since a penalty from Louis Carbonel for Toulon against Stade Français (19-18) on March 1, was greeted by ... a power outage.

- The silent MHR -

When the light came on, rugby was able to regain its rights: Montpellier's Yacouba Camara (15th) scored the first try of the season, world champion Handré Pollard scored three penalties and two tries.

But the MHR, too undisciplined (22 penalties, two yellow cards), derailed ... Mute in the second half while they were leading by thirteen points, the Hérault people got their feet in the carpet.

Because the Section, the only Top 14 team to have been able to play three preparation matches in the summer, proved that it was on the legs by signing the first feat of the season when the siren had already sounded.

A penalty try (80th + 2) finally came to reward the courage and self-sacrifice of the Palois, winners in the Hérault for the first time since February 20, 2016.

The first day continues on Saturday, with the La Rochelle-Toulon or Lyon-Racing 92 posters in particular. It will end on Sunday with the revenge of the last Top 14 final between Clermont and Toulouse.

This shock, a real one, was disturbed by many positive cases on the Toulouse side, which forced the Rouge et Noir to prepare in small groups.

The other big duel of the day, between the LOU and Racing 92, also almost didn't happen.

But the Lyonnais can say phew.

After registering a case of contamination three days before the meeting, the Rhone club was relieved Friday morning to discover that no other of its players was infected during the last tests carried out on Thursday.

Same story on the Ile-de-France side.

A spokesman for Racing 92 told AFP, early Friday evening, not to have a new case, after placing a player in isolation during the week.

Place for rugby?

© 2020 AFP