PARIS, FRANCE – Yesterday, we promised you a French Top 14 Update, so viola… Here it is:
In the opening game of this 12th week, Perpignan swept away Agen 39-13. With the win, Perpignan is now back in the race in the 6th spot qualifying for the playoffs. Agen goes home with no point, and is back into the red zone.
The most anticipated game was Clermont at Toulouse. In a well-contested game, Toulouse took off with two easy tries by center Yann David and scrummy Luke Burgess. Clermont remained close, thanks to penalties kicked by Morgan Parra, but as usual, fly-half David Skrela – who was playing against his former teammates – was way outmatched by magnificent Luke Mc Allister. Yoann Huget scored an early try in the second half and gave Toulouse a comfortable lead. Clermont played hard until the end and scored a great try by center Stanley, who continues his excellent play each week. Clermont came up too short in the end and didn’t claim the bonus point, but this try kept Toulouse from claiming it. ST 30-22 ASM
Pumped as they were after their first win at Racing-Metro during the last week, Mont-de-Marsan wanted to confirm their fans’ excitement against Castres. Indeed, Mont-de-Marsan thought they had the upper hand over the Castrais, but a strong come-back had saw them fall once again. Stade Montois 15-31 Castres.
Not much to say about what happened in Toulon. Visiting Grenoble came in and did nothing… just like pretty much every other team in the league. Toulon 39-3 Grenoble.
Bayonne gave Montpellier a hard time, but in the end could go home with only a bonus point. Montpellier 29-22 Bayonne
Biarritz were leading 18-3 at the 55th minute against Bordeaux-Bègles and thought they would only have to manage until the last minute. Well, my dear UBB has some guts… and proved it once again. Winger Talebula scored two superb tries and fly-half Camille Lopez a third one. If Argentinian Sanchez had not missed FIVE goals, the Girondins would have won… In the end, Biarritz won thanks to its two players coming back, scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili (5penalties and one conversion) and #8 Imanol Harinordoquy (one try). Still, the UBB claimed an important bonus point, despite the disapointment of losing this game… Biarritz Olympique 25-22 UBB
What about the Parisian clubs? They were playing in the Stade de France, against each other, as Racing-Métro was hosting the Stade Français on prime-time Saturday night. Playing against his former teammates, Dimitri Szarzewski scored a try. So did his teammate, center Fabrice Estebanez. Despite leading 5 minutes from the end – thanks to goals by scrumhalf Julien Dupuy – the Men in Black for the occasion even lost the bonus point. Racing-Métro 23-15 Stade Français Paris.
Next week, no Top 14 as teams will be competing in the European Cups.
