Pro D2 – The lessons of the evening: the feat of Provence in Vannes, Béziers irresistible

USON knows how to do it, even against the big guys

Certainly, USON Nevers rugby was undefeated at home and sure of its strength. But the players and staff were able to remind us during the week, it was their first big test at Pré-Fleuri, against a team from the top of the table (Brive having come into crisis in mid-November). And it is clear that they responded. They proved to a benchmark of its kind that their defense was of a high level. On the other hand, the patience they showed in the first act, with a score of 0-9 despite great domination, is a guarantee of optimism for the future.

As for the Stade Monois, it has sometimes left the impression of its own caricature. By wanting to defend too much, we forget certain essential aspects to win. It was only at the end of the game, when the score was 13 points, that Patrick Milhet’s men played the shots brilliantly. Enough to get back into the game and force Yohan Le Bourhis to take the penalty for 25-16.

The two teams are still close behind, with the difference that it is the Neversois, fourth, who are ahead of the Landais.

The BO sinks into the depths of the ranking

What a suspenseful end to the match! The ball carried formed by the pack of Biarritz forwards was nevertheless promising. But the transmission to the hooker Thomas Sauveterre was poorly assured. End of the match (17-20) and fourth defeat in a row for the BO. The players did not all agree on this penalty obtained approximately 30 meters in front of the posts. Should they settle for a draw, as they chased the score for so long? There will be great regrets, that’s for sure, on Aguilera’s side. Especially since the Basques are only two points ahead of the red zone (and penultimate Soyaux-Angoulême).

And during this time, the ASBH continues the dream, with a third victory in a row, which can be added to two good points taken in Agen and Aix, and to the correction inflicted on the FCG. This has been going on for two months now for the Biterrois, who represent more than a passing fashion.

In Sapiac, the bowl has fun

Was it really Shvangiradze’s red card that changed the face of this match? It must be said that there were two other yellow cards addressed to the Aurillacois (Rodgers, Plantier) which also greatly penalized them. But even before that, the trend was Montalbanese. Because Segundo Tuculet wore green and black. The Argentinian full-back scored a double and a “decisive pass”, with a low kick for Guillemin.

Even if the limit of these Montalbanais is on the move, and not in their basin of Sapiac, this improved success has the gift of boosting the morale of the troops. Indeed, USM, defeated four times in the last five outings, had only pocketed one bonus since the start of the season. It was during the first day, with the victory against Valence-Romans.

Stade Aurillacois perhaps did not rely on its typical team composition. But the fact remains that it would have been possible for them to compete better with a little more rigor. Because this match in Tarn-et-Garonne has all the characteristics of what we call an empty journey… In addition, the Cantaliens see themselves overtaken by their evening opponents. Sapiac is in seventh place, tied with Grenoble, sixth thanks to its victory in the first leg (37-16).

Grenoble: the pass of four

After their victory on the Angoulême pitch, FC Grenoble definitely wanted to launch their season away, and this trip to Rouen, the last, came at just the right time. Dominant at the start of the match, the Isérois could well have been punished but a slight advance from Rouen saved them. Back in the opposing camp, they finally started the second and scored the first points thanks to the boot of Romain Trouilloud who even doubled the lead, after the response of Sébastien Tillous-Borde’s men. But with a mistake just before the break, Atu Manu left his teammates at 14 for a tackle on a player in the air.

Despite the inferiority, the Isérois attacked their second half well thanks to the same Trouilloud who scored three new points. Largely dominant, the Grenoblois did not materialize their multiple opportunities with a try, but their scorer gave his team a little more air thanks to two new kicks. It was Pierce Phillips, the second replacement line, who definitively freed his team with a powerful try. Muarua, well served by Trouilloud, even slipped behind the line once again. Grenoble took a while to really get into this match, but were able to break free in the second half thanks, in particular, to a great Romain Trouilloud. The FCGR won largely (10-29) at Robert-Diochon and entered the dance at the top of the table after a series of four successes. For their part, even if they save their honor at the end of the match, the Rouennais are more last than ever.

Angoulême learns to receive

In a match where the Agenais were gradually managing to impose their rhythm, Hubert Texier made their task easier. Guilty of a tackle on a player in the air, the third row was sent off for ten minutes. But this numerical inferiority would galvanize the Angoumoisins who for the first time would create chances, each time annihilated by slight blunders. However, under pressure, the Agenais finally made a mistake, allowing the Violets to open the scoring (3-0). After a good action from three-quarters, who crashed within 22 meters, the Angoulême pack finished the job well by flattening forcefully by Texier who caught up well.

While they attacked the second act full of intentions, the Agenais took time before finally achieving results. It was Thomas Vincent, who after good work from his forwards, dropped his opponent to take a lead and give hope to Agen. A short-lived hope after a new penalty from Corentin Glénat. In a match that they never knew how to take the right way, the Agenais lost (16-7) against the Angoumoisins who, for their part, gave themselves a little breathing room at home.

Dax gets scared

In complicated conditions, to which they are now accustomed, the Drômois started their game better than their opponents from Dax. They appeared more conquering from the first minutes of the match. And without a forward pass, Mawalu could even have gone behind the line… Fortunately, Lushéro was not going to be asked to materialize this domination with three, then six points. But a try from Louis Barrère finally allowed the Dacquois to take control just before the lemons.

Returning from the locker room, Drôme center Te Tamaki left his teammates at 14 for ten minutes after a high tackle. The opportunity was too good for Dax who drove the point home a little further after a good ball that crossed the line. After another penalty, the Dacquois would even lead by nine points seven minutes from time. But in a crazy end to the match which saw Leatigaga sent off, and the Checkers come back to two points thanks to a converted try, Dax finally trembled until the end. The victory is achieved down to the wire (18-16). A match reflecting its season for Valencia which alternated between the good and the less good but which still pocketed an important point.

Hot shot at Rabine

The shock of this 13th day of Pro D2. A solid leader, Vannes welcomed Provence, one of the favorites to climb into the Top 14. Trailing by 6 points after 20 minutes, the Bretons did not start their game in the best way. Intractable on home soil this season, Jean-Noël Spitzer’s men thought they would recover when Lafage scored his first points of the match. It was without counting on the people of Aix who came to do something. After a controversial 50-22, Gopperth sent a magnificent cross to Taieb who was flattened under the whistles of Rabine.

Returning from the locker room with other intentions, we believed that the leaders had regained control of their match, after a school ball, Léon Boulier rushed behind the line and already allowed his team to get within three points. But they were less calm, and Léon Boulier stood out in the wrong way this time. After making a mistake in a maul, the third row was sent to the fridge for ten minutes. A golden opportunity that Provence was able to seize. Behind a new ball carried they pushed their opponents and Harrison was able to flatten without opposition. Because it was the theme of the evening, it was from a new “port” that Aixois’ third try came. Throw in from 5 meters, maul, try, we take the same ones and start again. To change a little, the Bretons’ attempt at hope did not come from a casserole. It was Hamish who flattened strongly to get back to 10 points 8 minutes from the siren. A gap too big for Vannes who lost for the first time this season at home (17-27), without a bonus what’s more. Provence sends a message to the competition.