Three out of three for Paris! The Pink Soldiers showed great realism in attack but also heroism, especially in defense when they found themselves at 13 to keep their line inviolate against a MHR too soft to hope for something in the capital.

In the standings, the future team of Laurent Labit and Karim Ghezal, still assistants in Blue during the 2023 World Cup, is three points ahead of a trio composed of Castres, Pau and Racing 92.

The OC, the team least concerned by the World Cup - the Uruguayan Santiago Arata is the only player retained - had fun against a harmless and unrecognizable Bayonne team (37-0).

The Section Paloise, hung at the break by Lyon (10-10), passed the overdrive in the second half to fly away (40-10) with two tries scored in the last five minutes in double numerical superiority to snatch the offensive bonus. His England opener, Joe Simmonds, scored 20 points and delivered a brilliant pass for Clément Laporte's try.

Stade Français full-back Kylan Hamdaoui attempts a penalty against Montpellier on September 2, 2023 at the Jean-Bouin stadium in Paris © ALAIN JOCARD / AFP

The ordeal continued for Perpignan, decidedly not invited at the beginning of the season. The Catalans were swept in the room of Racing 92 (59-10), author of 9 tries including a double of the neo-pillar international Thomas Laclayat. Always good to know given the series of injuries that hit the Blues...

Tense match in Clermont

In the +match of champions +, the promoted Oyonnax was victim on his lawn of the cold realism of Toulouse and his band of youngsters, led by Paul Graou, understudy of Antoine Dupont, at the conclusion of two tries and decisive on the third of Ugo Mola's men (27-21).

This second success in a row of the Stadistes, curiously dressed as ... Rochelais, was never challenged by the +Oyomen+ who finished better but their striker Jules Soulan missed the final conversion, leaving his own six points on the scoreboard. Infuriating.

Section Paloise opener Joe Simmonds against Lyon, on September 2, 2023 in Pau © GAIZKA IROZ / AFP

In the evening, La Rochelle, which has never won in its history at the foot of the volcanoes of Auvergne, will have to wait one more season. Christophe Urios' Clermont won on the wire (11-10) at the end of a match hung and sometimes tense like this stroller of Benjamin Urdapilleta on the maritime manager Ronan O'Gara.

The absence of a reliable striker - wing-back Dillyn Leyds was in charge on Saturday - in the ranks of the European champions has been detrimental.

The last match of the day will take place on Sunday evening (21:05) at the Chaban-Delmas stadium where Toulon will come to challenge Bordeaux-Bègles before an eight-week break because of the World Cup.

© 2023 AFP