Paris (AFP)
La Rochelle, in an imperative quest for points, returned to victory in front of Castres while Lyon had an offensive festival in Biarritz on Saturday during the 6th day of the Top 14, marked by a sixth victory for the Toulouse leader.
.
Toulouse force 6
The double reigning French champion hoped to unfold his attacking game from entering his stadium.
Instead, he suffered for more than forty minutes to get rid of a catchy Pau team.
The Section, redesigned, even led to the break (7-0) thanks to the opener Thibault Debaes, who intercepted a skipped pass from Romain Ntamack.
"We are zero, all zero. We do not play together, me the first," railed Maxime Médard at the microphone of Canal Plus, at half-time.
The indestructible rear (34 years old) sounded the revolt by scoring the first try of his family after returning from the locker room.
His team added four more, including a double from Anthony Jelonch, to finally pocket a sixth victory (38-10), with the bonus in the key.
The Rouge et Noir grapple one more point (seven now) at the top of the standings ahead of their runner-up Bordeaux-Bègles.
.
La Rochelle is moving forward
La Rochelle captain Grégory Alldritt had urged his team to stop "looking back".
He was heard with a success, the second this season, against a contender for the final phase, Castres (29-10).
Beaten four times in five matches and penultimate before this 6th day, the Maritimes are struggling to digest their 2020-2021 season marked by two finals, in the Top 14 and in the European Cup, but without a title at the finish.
Rechelais flanker Kevin Gourdon La Rochelle grabs the ball on a touchdown against Castres Olympique, October 9, 2021 in La Rochelle XAVIER LEOTY AFP
In their Marcel-Deflandre stadium, they mastered their subject and found themselves an effective scorer in the person of Pierre Popelin.
The 26-year-old opener, back in Charente-Maritime this summer after three seasons at Vannes, in Pro D2, scored 19 points.
Hooker Pierre Bourgarit and Alldritt took charge of the two tries.
La Rochelle must now confirm next Saturday in Brive, to finally start its season.
.
Bordeaux-Bègles and hard-working Racing
Still no bonus for Racing 92. Facing the Pro D2 champion, Perpignan, the Ile-de-France residents were far from brilliant.
Held in check at the break (0-0), Laurent Travers' men widened the gap with tests from Ibrahim Diallo and Antoine Gibert.
But while they were leading 17-0, the Ciel et Blanc encountered a comeback from the Catalans, happy to win the defensive bonus (17-14).
It "sounds a bit like a victory", savored the scrum half Matteo Rodor, author of a double.
Winger Nathanael Hulleu scores a try for Bordeaux-Bègles during the home victory against Montpellier in TOP 14, October 9, 2021 Philippe LOPEZ AFP
UBB, she let slip the offensive bonus and was scared at home against Montpellier (27-23).
The Girondins have flattened four times in less than 45 minutes but have conceded two tries in the last twenty.
"They made us tremble until the end," blew Bordeaux back coach Frédéric Charrier.
.
Dark Biarritz in Aguilera
The BO no longer wins in its stadium.
After the honorable defeat in front of the Toulouse Stadium (17-11), the promoted Basque collapsed in front of Lyon (40-5).
Lou won six tries to one, with a hat-trick from his international scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud, winner of the "match in the match" against his little brother Barnabé, N.9 from Biarritz.
This is the first victory away from the Rhone club, which climbs to third place, pending the duel between Toulon and Brive at 9:05 pm.
© 2021 AFP