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The Toulouse "church" in its place

Stade Toulousain rear coach Clément Poitrenaud wanted to "put the church back in the center of the village" after a series of three games without a win (two defeats interspersed with a draw) which had dented the capital of the Haut-Garonne club. at the top of the ranking.

Even if it took time to establish his superiority, the leader fulfilled his mission in accounting terms against Usap (34-13) with the offensive bonus.

Buoyed by the return of his internationals, including scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who entered at the same time as Julien Marchand and Anthony Jelonch, he has a nine-point lead over La Rochelle while awaiting his runner-up's match in the evening (9:05 p.m.) against the French Stadium.

The five-time European champions will still have to climb the cursor again for their entry into the running in the Champions Cup next week with the Irish of Munster.

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Clermont breathes

Under pressure, Clermont suffered more to end, against defending champion Montpellier (19-14), his series of four unsuccessful matches.

The Clermontois celebrate a try scored during the Clermont-Montpellier Top 14 match in Clermont-Ferrand, December 3, 2022 © THIERRY ZOCCOLAN / AFP

"You shouldn't miss it," breathed ASM international winger Damian Penaud afterwards, to whom the public at the Marcel-Michelin stadium proclaimed their love to convince him to extend his lease in Auvergne.

A mark of affection which may have disturbed him since he offered on a personal error the first try of the game to his vis-à-vis All Black George Bridge, for whom it was the first match under the colors of the MHR.

Fortunately for Penaud, who said he was still thinking about his future, the Clermont forwards reacted to a marvel of penetrating maul to allow an entire club to breathe.

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The UBB sinks Brive

The UBB also breathes a little better.

The Girondin club won with the offensive bonus the game of fear against the red lantern, Brive (33-13).

UBB players during the Bordeaux-Bègles - Brive match in the Top 14, on December 3, 2002 in Bordeaux © ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP

Beaten in Perpignan last week for their first outing after manager Christophe Urios was sidelined, Matthieu Jalibert's teammates, once again brilliant on Saturday, can continue to look up.

The electroshock is on the other hand still waiting for the Corréziens who chain a seventh consecutive defeat, despite the movement also on their bench.

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Bayonne sings in the rain

After Racing 92, Bordeaux-Bègles, La Rochelle and Toulouse, another big car in the championship, Lyon, fell in the Bayonne fortress of Jean-Dauger (19-7).

Frenchman Camille Lopez during the Bayonne-Lyon Top 14 match on December 3, 2022 in Bayonne © GAIZKA IROZ / AFP

Thanks in particular to two drops from his opener Camille Lopez in the Basque rain, the promoted extended his invincibility at home, which could allow him to experience a serene end to the season.

The 12th day will continue on Sunday with Castres-Pau at 2:00 p.m. and Toulon-Racing in the evening (9:05 p.m.).

© 2022 AFP