Toulouse hooked from the Stade de Français, Bayonne ousted Clermont … What to remember from the matches of the tenth day

The first game that day was a shock. But between the first two in the standings, Toulouse and Stade Français, the first period didn’t really keep all its promises, Saturday 5 November, during the 10th day of the Top 14. So much so that the fans present at the Stade Ernst Wallon will probably remember more about the ten-minute stoppage because two of environmental activists clung to leaflets shortly before the quarter-hour mark. Third in the top fourteen, Stade Rochelles struggled against Brive, Red Lantern, but finally won, while Clermont, unbeaten for more than a year at home, lost to Aveyron Bayonne in Marcel-Michelin’s lair. Lyon, winner of Castres (26-20), revived the race and Racing 92, which dominated Osap (44-20), kept pace.

Shock: Believed by the French stadium, Toulouse misses a match point

Not very effective in the last minute and deprived of international players, both teams relied on the game at the feet of the scorers, especially in the first period. Ogo Mola’s players dominated drafts in the opposing 22 metres, without being able to convert their chances. More skillful than Paul Grau, Joris Segonds gave his team the advantage thanks to a penalty kick and a good touchdown before the break (3-6).

In the second half, Samoan Giovanni Abel Kovner scored the first try of the match for the Parisienne, being the quickest to recover the ball fired by Dimitri Delibes (3-13, 50). If Selevasio Tolofua reacted shortly after by scoring Toulouse’s first try (8-13, 57), Edgar Retière’s missed conversion, combined with a penalty converted by Segonds a few minutes later, gave Gonzalo’s men a small margin Quesada (8-16 ).

Very tenacious in defense, Morgan Parra’s teammates ended up cracking in the last two minutes. While Retière finally opened his counter (11-16), Paul Kostis went from three-quarters flat, alone on his left side, for Toulouse’s second try (16-16, 79). A match point was not captured in the foot of the French opener: his conversion hit the post, forcing the two teams to split the points.

Perfection: Bayonne drops Clermont, who has been undefeated for over a year at Marcel Michelin

Bayonne continues. Having managed to topple the leader Toulouse last weekend (26-22), Grégory Patat’s players struck another powerful blow on Saturday, as they beat Clermont (20-25) in Marseille-Michelin. ASM is undefeated there since September 11, 2021.

In the opening New Zealander Jason Robertson was one of the main architects of the rowing victory with a try, two conversions and a penalty at the end of the match, which nullified Clermont’s hopes. The promoted Basques return to sixth place in the Top 14.

Missed feat: Scored a penalty kick against La Rochelle

The Red Lanterns were one penalty away from performing the Day 10 show. In the face of the European champions, Esteban Abadi and his comrades had no complexes, far from it. And in front of their home crowd, they took the lead before agonizing at the start of the second half against, in particular, the kicking match of Antoine Hastoy. However, at the end of the match, Brave had the opportunity to win on the wire. Unfortunately for Arnaud Méla’s men, Thomas Laranjeira was caught out of time when he kicked home a penalty kick in the dying seconds. The ball finished racing to the left of the posts (17-19).

Corizen’s side recorded a fifth defeat in a row while Rochela’s side took advantage of the draw between Toulouse and Stade Français to regain the runners-up spot for Ile-de-France.