It was a pivotal match for the UBB, to confirm the revival seen during the last outings against Racing 92 and Clermont (victory and draw), to find out if it can play without its doublet Maxime Lucu - Matthieu Jalibert retained in Marcoussis with Blues.

At the end of an epic fight against an RCT that really did not come to do tourism in Gironde and apparently frustrated at the final whistle, Christophe Urios' men won a success that was far from obvious in view of the scenario of this match that the Varois lost on a silly fault by Waisea (76th) and losing his ammunition in touch and on balls carried, yet one of their strengths.

Everything had however started well for the Toulonnais, with an almost perfect game during the first act.

Defensive solidity to counter the rhythm imposed from the start by the Bordelais, occupation at the foot to leave their hosts under pressure, and finally efficiency, to penalize opposing faults by Thomas Salles, one-night scorer (16 points).

Decisive entrants

After a big streak of shelling, Baptiste Serin remembered the good memories of Chaban to score as a trickster at the foot of the posts (22).

The only oversight, after Serin's first try, when the Gironde cavalry put Madosh Tambwe into orbit, a revelation at the start of the season, who got the better of Jiuta Wainiqolo... in a ground fight in the in-goal (10-10, 25).

Congolese winger from Bordeaux-Bègles Madosh Tambwe during the Top 14 match against Toulon, October 30, 2022 at the Chaban-Delmas stadium ROMAIN PERROCHEAU AFP

The Congolese bomb of the UBB struck, the Fijian one of the RCT responded barely three minutes later by flying on its wing up to one meter from the local line.

On the happy release, Ihaia West only had to dive to sanction Unionists then a tone below, especially in melee.

As a result, manager Christophe Urios changed his two pillars and a second line, all three of whom were found involved in the action of the revolt concluded by Kane Douglas (44th).

The RCT did not lose the thread, however, carried by its ever-conquering scrum - penalty from Salles (50th) - but the second dose of new blood injected by the Aquitaine team once again had its effect.

Cumulative entry of Jules Gimbert and Federico Mori and a minute later, the Italian center ended up in the end in the end (61st) to restore the advantage to his people thanks to the transformation of Zack Holmes, animator rather up to Jalibert ( 24-23).

Toulon full-back Thomas Salles (right) during the Top 14 match against Bordeaux-Bègles on October 30, 2022 at the Chaban-Delmas stadium ROMAIN PERROCHEAU AFP

In a necessarily indecisive end to the match, each side tried to blame it on its counterpart.

After a fault from a Bordeaux support, Salles reversed the score again until this error by Waisea, sanctioned by Homes for the penalty of winning and relieving (76th).

© 2022 AFP