For the last match of the 14th day of Top 14, ASM Clermont offered itself a precious victory in the race for the final stages at promoted Vannes (19-20), more than ever behind at the bottom of the ranking.
TOPS
Clermont asserts itself in the six
A week after its first defeat of the season at Michelin against Montpellier (18-22), ASM Clermont corrected the situation in the most beautiful way by offering itself its second away victory at promoted Vannes ( 19-20). A success which allows Christophe Urios’ men to move up to fourth place (38 points). Solid in defense against the numerous highlights of the Bretons in front of their line, the Clermontois managed to score two tries through the pillar Régis Montagne (34th), at the conclusion of a carried ball, and from the back Alex Newsome (53rd), helped by a magnificent cross from his winger Irae Simone. Anthony Belleau also distinguished himself with a disaster rescue in his goal by beating Salesi Rayasi in the race, very close to flattening (56th). A fact of play which would have allowed RC Vannes to get back in front, while Clermont led 20 to 16.
Baptiste Jauneau, indestructible dynamiter of the Auvergne attack
Once is not customary this season, Baptiste Jauneau was the strong man of the ASM in the Top 14. Constant poison in the support of his partners, the Clermont captain made the Vannes defense dizzy, with no less than five defenders beaten. In the second half, he occupied the field well by clearing several hot balls in front of his line and masterfully managed the weak moments of his partners. Replaced by Sébastien Bézy at the end of the match (64th).
Maxime Lafage, precise scorer and decisive passer
Despite his team’s narrow defeat, Maxime Lafage kept RC Vannes afloat until the final seconds. Surgical against the poles (5/5, 14 points), the Morbihan opener also delivered a decisive jump pass to Romaric Camou (10th) for the one and only Breton try of the evening. Despite a direct hit at the end of the match, the number 10 was also valuable with his busy kicking game to keep ASM in their camp. Despite this high-level performance, RC Vannes (16 points) is now relegated seven lengths behind Stade Français, barrier, and sees the horizon of its maintenance mission darkening.
FLOPS
Francis Saili, an entry to forget
He was the flagship recruit of the Vannes transfer window alongside Mako Vunipola, but the adventure in Brittany of the New Zealand international center turned into a fiasco. Coming into play in the 55th minute in place of Alex Arrate, Francis Saili stood out in a very poor way by completely missing a pass for his fullback Paul Surano (70th), who offered a touch to the Auvergnats then a test to Pierre Fouyssac… finally refused (72nd). In the final moments, he wasted precious ammunition by committing a forward five meters from the opposing goal, after a pass from Stephen Varney.
Killian Tixeront, mistakes and clumsiness which could have cost ASM dearly
Penalized sixteen times at La Rabine, ASM confirmed that it was indeed one of the most penalized teams in the Top 14 since the start of the season. From the fourth minute, the third row Killian Tixeront received a largely avoidable yellow card, by making a tie on Paul Surano, the Vannes full-back, who was nevertheless under pressure in his 22 meters. Outnumbered, the Auvergnats conceded the first try of the match, scored by Romaric Camou (10th), after a succession of penalties from Vannes in the opposing 22 meters. At the end of the first act (32nd), he annihilated a number from his captain Baptiste Jauneau by committing a forward attack when the try seemed promised to him. At the end of the match, Pierre Fouyssac’s try was refused (72nd) after a crocodile catch from Killian Tixeront on a Vannes defender, at the start of the action.
