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French Top 14 - Week 10 Review
Week ten of the Top 14 and Racing 92 were in Pau for the first game of the weekend. Pau are languishing towards the bottom of the table, but with Colin Slade, Sirelli Bobo, Damian Traille and a Munster backrow consisting of Dougal, Butler and Coughlan, it just goes to show how incredibly competitive this league is. The game itself was a battle of the kickers, with a 79th min penalty earning Pau a valuable draw. The result sees Racing drop to 4th place, but still looking very strong as we near the midpoint of the season.
Next up Toulon fans were given a treat in the form of Ma’a Nonu lining up alongside Basteraud in the most fearsome centre partnership on the planet. Throw Giteau, Cooper, Armitage, Habana, Vermulen and Gorgodze into the mix and this game against Agen was only going to go one way. The hosts ran in seven tries to win 53-23. The only concern for Laporte will be their defensive display as Toulon leaked two tries and five penalties. The result sees them move up to second and with the talent at their disposal, they are strong favourites in all competitions this season.
Castres continued their resurgence after a very slow start to the season. They disposed of Jake White’s Montpellier 34-19 with Alex Tulou going over for a hat-trick. Bismark Du Plessis came off the bench to pull one back for the visitors, but the result continues a bad run of form for Montpellier and sees them move down to mid table. With the budget at Jake white’s disposal, fans will expect more going forward.
Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble will be disappointed following a loss to La Rochelle. Going down 17 points in the first 15 mins proved to be their downfall and with an away game against Bordeuax coming next, things are not looking great for Jackman’s men. Bordeaux, meanwhile, are on a winning streak and managed another away win in Paris against Stade Francais 21-24 thanks to a last minute try from substitute scrum half Heinie Adams. The result sees Bordeaux move up to sixth, while last season’s champions remain in the bottom half of the table.
In the final two games of the weekend, Toulouse easily overcame Oyonnax 27-3, while Clermont earned a hard fought 26-21 win away to Brive, The results see Clermont remain top of the table, albeit unconvincingly, and Tolouse move up to third place with their next Top 14 match at home to Toulon.
Attention will now turn to Europe next week before returning for the next round of action on the weekend of the 27th December. The usual suspects are leading the way and it is very difficult to look past Toulon. With Dan Carter still to make his debut for Racing, they will also fancy their chances. The quality of team and player in this league is unparalleled anywhere in the world, so make sure you keep watching for some top quality rugby.
Fred Culazzo
