Paris (AFP)
Racing 92 outclassed Clermont and ended a series of four defeats on Saturday during the 23rd day of Top 14 where the Stade Rochelais, very overhauled, lost in Montpellier, pending the Toulon-Toulouse poster in the evening (9:05 p.m.).
The Racingmen, whose last league victory was on February 19, won six tries to one, pocketing an enhanced success (45-19) which allows them to steal third place in Clermont, their opponent of the day.
At the Arena in Nanterre, which has become an anti-Covid vaccinodrome since Monday, the Ciel et Blancs have mainly treated their ailments and provided the "show" behind.
The back linemen made the difference by scoring five of six tries.
The Australian N.15 Kurtley Beale offered himself a double thanks to two offerings from Teddy Thomas, author of the third try of his own and involved in the construction of the fourth, scored by hooker Kevin Le Guen.
The first club association of the centers of the XV of France, Gaël Fickou, defector of the Stade Français, and Virimi Vakatawa, it worked wonderfully.
The first scored his first try in his new colors, at the start of the second half, and the second made a superb jump pass on that of Thomas.
"The Fickou-Vakatawa association, it transcends the others around. When we see the quality of Virimi when he comes back from injury, it is very positive", appreciated the coach Laurent Travers who must still, however, deplore wounded.
Argentinian winger Juan Imhoff, for his first match in nearly a month, came out at half-time for a glitch in the ribs.
Center Olivier Klemenczak, who returned to training this week, injured himself at his home (knee).
The Clermont scrum-half Morgan Parra especially deplored the defensive mistakes of his team: "The fault comes from us. There is no photo. We take tests of hopes or cadets."
The Rochelais, second in the standings, have conceded five in Montpellier (32-22).
The Maritimes remained on five victories in all competitions but they played with an entirely modified XV compared to that which emerged victorious from the duel with the Irish of Leinster in the semi-finals of the "Champions Cup" last Saturday.
The MHR took advantage of this to sign an enhanced success, precious in the race to maintain.
- Pau breathes, Bayonne sweats -
Pau also gave air by currying Agen (47-7), last and already condemned to relegation.
Tongan left pillar Sigfried Fisi'ihoi scored twice and South African opener Elton Jantjies scored 7 points for his first game with the Section.
The Béarn club doubles Bayonne, now penultimate after its defeat in front of Bordeaux-Bègles (47-22) at home.
With six tries, including a double from hooker Maxime Lamothe, UBB also signs an enhanced success which allows it to temporarily return to the wagon of the play-offs, in sixth place.
One point behind Castres (5th), winner of Lyon (37-29) on Friday, but with two fewer matches.
Toulon (7th) and Stade Français (8th) are behind the Gironde team.
The Parisians, winners of the Ile-de-France derby against Racing last Saturday, won by a short header in Brive (31-28), not without being scared at the end of the match.
Their last success in Corrèze dates back to September 26, 2006!
The Brivists, not yet assured of maintenance, have not lost everything and managed to snatch the defensive bonus in the last minutes.
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