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La Rochelle takes a walk
The clash of extremes between the European champion from La Rochelle, second before kick-off, and the Perpignan red lantern did not hold the slightest suspense.
The third line of the Blues Grégory Alldritt launched from the 3rd minute the offensive festival of the Maritimes, who scored a total of seven tries, including two for the young English opener Harry Glinn (21 years old).
With this improved success, which saw international winger Teddy Thomas make his debut in his new yellow and black colors, Stade La Rochelais temporarily takes control of the standings before Toulouse's match at Pau in the evening (9:05 p.m.).
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The UBB is reassured
The victory was imperative not to fall into the crisis and the UBB, serious and applied if not flamboyant, fulfilled its contract at the expense of Castres (33-12).
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After two setbacks against the last two champions, Toulouse (26-25) and Montpellier (29-19), the Girondin club, at the foot of the wall, was reassured.
"We opened the counter, as long as we let it run", blew at the final whistle his captain Mahamadou Diaby, relieved.
After two first convincing outings, the CO, finalist of the last exercise, paid dearly for their indiscipline and a surprising sterility offensive.
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Racing redeems itself
Forgot the misstep in Bayonne (31-25) last weekend.
Racing 92 redeemed itself against Lyon (32-19) in its Arena, where a tribute was paid before the meeting to Virimi Vakatawa, recently forced to end his career due to heart problems.
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The Hauts-de-Seine club made the difference in the first half with three good tries, like that of young international Max Spring, well served by his scrum half Nolann Le Garrec before the latter was forced out through injury.
Less prominent after the break, the Ile-de-France residents were still able to contain Xavier Garbajosa's LOU, too undisciplined to avoid a second consecutive defeat.
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Montpellier is scared
The reigning French champion suffered until the end to get rid of a catchy Brive team in Corrèze (31-26), only rewarded with a defensive bonus despite his final last seconds.
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The MHR had to wait for a successful counter from their second line Nicolaas Janse Van Rensburg at the end of the match to finally take a decisive ascendancy and climb to third place in the standings.
The French Stadium also got scared against Bayonne (26-16).
Long draft, the Parisian club will have had to wait for the last quarter of an hour to tip the match in its favor.
The 3rd day will close on Sunday (9:05 p.m.) with a confrontation between Toulon and Clermont, a club well known to the two RCT coaches Franck Azéma and Pierre Mignoni.
© 2022 AFP