After having been exemplary in combat with the Irish of Munster;

after having multiplied the great flights against the English of Sale, the Toulousains still changed diskette in the derby: that of the "ugly win".

Without being brilliant, they took revenge against the CO for last year's lost semi-final and consolidated their place as leader in the standings, with a nine-point lead while waiting for Racing 92-Stade Français on Sunday.

Stamped Atlantic derby despite a certain lack of history and the 180 km that separate them, the opposition between Stade Rochelais and UBB has established itself for several seasons as a classic of the championship between new ambitious powers.

Bordeaux-Bègles scrum-half Maxime Lucu (c) on the pitch in La Rochelle, December 23, 2022 © XAVIER LEOTY / AFP

The Maritimes had won the last six, but the streak ended in front of their home crowd in Deflandre, who did not see the same conquering team of the last two weeks in the Champions Cup.

On the other hand, things are going better for the Girondins, who have risen to seventh place in the standings thanks to this second consecutive success after having gone through a fatal crisis for their coach Christophe Urios.

Brive rebels

That of Brive, Jeremy Davidson, was also sidelined in October, without the results being felt so far, with a black series of nine defeats in all competitions.

Has the arrival, announced this week, of his successor, Patrice Collazo, already taken effect?

The back of Brive Setariki Tuicuvu (c) against Clermont, December 23, 2022 in Brive-la-Gaillarde © DIARMID COURREGES / AFP

Sitting in the stands of the Amédée-Domenech stadium, the former coach of La Rochelle and Toulon, who will not officially take up his new duties until Monday, witnessed the revolt of the Corrèze red lantern, victorious in the mental of Clermont (20-16 ) on a trial at the end of the suspense.

Annoyed at having fallen at home last weekend against the Welsh Ospreys, Montpellier logically redeemed themselves against the penultimate, Perpignan (38-10), thanks in particular to a good performance from their hinge Léo Coly- Louis Carbonel, authors of one essay each.

A match between Occitans also marked from the 3rd minute by a big collision between the South African rear and Usap centerpiece Tristan Tedder, released on a stretcher, and the New Zealand international winger of the MHR George Bridge, him also forced to leave the field soon after.

Pau and Bayonne back to back

The "real" derby of Aviron bayonnais is played against Biarritz, but the Basque club did not have to leave the department to go and win the two points of the draw in Pau (22-22) at the end of a removed match .

Author of his sixth and seventh tries of the season, Section winger Emilien Gailleton (19) is now co-top scorer in the championship with Lyonnais Ethan Duportier (21), two young players on the radar of the XV of France.

Bayonne opener Camille Lopez (d) during the Top 14 match in Pau, December 23, 2022 © GAIZKA IROZ / AFP

This 13th festive day, also placed under the sign of solidarity since nearly 300 jerseys worn by the various teams will be auctioned for the benefit of the Restos du Coeur, had unusually started on Thursday.

After two consecutive defeats at home in the league, Toulon had reconciled against Lyon (21-3) with their demanding Mayol public.

Very convincing in the first half, the Vars were carried by their Fijian winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, author of a double, and their new star opener, the Welshman Dan Biggar, who was making his debut in the Top 14.

"Boxing Day" will end on Sunday (3:00 p.m.) with the Ile-de-France derby between Racing 92 and Stade Français, respectively second and third in the standings before the start of the day.

© 2022 AFP