DIRECT. Rugby: at half-time, the Section leads Perpignan (8-10)

Usap could be worrying: it had just won its first victory against Clermont. But on this occasion she lost three major players: the second row of the Blues Posolo Tuilagi, the Australian fly-half Jack McIntyre and the South African third row Jacobus van Tonder who suffers from a ruptured ligament in his left knee…

Eleven months after a 39-24 success (4th day of the Top 14 2023-2024), repeat?

Everything remained to be done at the break between Perpignan and Section Paloise (8-10). After a rescue from Zegueur in his 22 meters (4^e), Pau entered the Catalan 22 meters twice, but one forward (6^e) then a fault (10^e) prevented it from coming to fruition. USAP, pushed by a sold-out Aimé-Giral stadium, took the opportunity to open the scoring thanks to a penalty from Aucagne (3-0, 14^e).

Well into their match, the Section returned close to the opposing goal line, but Tagitagivalu was penalized (16^e). Dominant in this first act, the Béarnais equalized. Frustrated by the post (19^e), Simmonds then adjusted the sights (3-3, 21^e).

Once again on the attack, Pau was blocked following a bad play at the foot of Simmonds. A quick touch allowed the Catalans to return to the Pau camp. The game shifted to the side and Aucagne scored the first try (8-3, 32^e). Ineffective close to the Perpignan goal, Pau missed two new opportunities with a forward from Bibi Biziwu (34^e) then a foul in a ruck (37^e). Before, finally, the reward just before the break. On a ball recovered by Laporte, the Green and White continued. Served by Robson, the Pau winger scored his team’s first try, transformed by Simmonds (8-10, 39^e).