Nanterre (AFP)

With a fire attack and the return of injuries, Racing 92 recovered by correcting Clermont (45-19) and ended a series of four losses in the Top 14, Friday at the Arena in Nanterre during of the 23rd day.

After this improved success (6 tries to 1), their first in the league since February 19, Laurent Travers' men snatch third place from the Auvergne team.

The Jaunards, defeated three times in four matches in all competitions, see their chances of going directly to the semi-finals significantly reduced.

The Racingmen, stung by their president Jacky Lorenzetti in the press after the defeat in the Ile-de-France derby against Stade Français (35-29), have regained energy in their room, transformed since Monday into an anti-Covid vaccine park.

But it's easier when injured executives are back.

The Racingmen found their leader Baptiste Chouzenoux, Argentine winger Juan Imhoff and Virimi Vakatawa.

The three-quarter center was for the first time associated with Gaël Fickou, defector of the French Stadium, his usual friend in the France team.

With the Australian Kurtley Beale at the back and Teddy Thomas on the right wing, the Ile-de-France attack made the show by scoring three tries in ten minutes.

Beale scored twice on two offerings from Thomas and Thomas flattened the third as he escaped into his lane after a jump pass from Vakatawa.

The Auvergnats remained within range thanks to a test in strength of the pillar Peni Ravai and the boot of the scrum-half Morgan Parra.

But hooker Kevin Le Guen completed the fourth test in Ile-de-France, just before the break, in which Thomas was, again, involved.

Not satisfied, Racing 92 hit the nail on the head as soon as they returned from the locker room with Fickou, author of his first test in his new colors.

The winger Donovan Taofifenua, entered during the game, contributed to the building by taking advantage of the Clermont air holes.

Solid in defense, the Ciel et Blanc did not concede a single point in the second half to offer themselves a third victory in three matches this season in front of the Jaunards, including the European Cup.

Since 2018, the Auvergnats have won only one of their eight confrontations with the Ile-de-France residents, in all competitions, with a draw in the process.

Racing 92 can consider the end of the regular phase with optimism, having a less difficult schedule than its competitors with three poorly classified (Pau, Agen, Brive) to finish.

© 2021 AFP