Toulouse stuck, UBB co-leader, Toulon takes fourth

After more or less successful European cup matches, French clubs wanted to regain confidence in the championship this weekend. Under pressure after poor performances in the Champions Cup, Bayonne and Stade français bounced back well against Vannes and Perpignan respectively. For their part, Toulon and UBB took advantage of great victories to put pressure on Toulouse.

The conquering UBB

We know more hospitable than the Pierre-Fabre stadium, where Castres was so far undefeated this season. Despite difficult weather conditions, Bordeaux-Bègles faced the dominant Tarnais to achieve a valuable success (13-3).

Effective in defense, opportunistic like Yoram Moefana having followed the ball well for a try in a confused action, the Bordelais remain, more than ever, neck and neck with the reigning champion Toulouse with whom they share, from now on, the lead in the championship (41 pt).

La Rochelle shows courage against Clermont

After getting its head right in the Champions Cup thanks to two successes, La Rochelle wanted to erase its home defeat against Vannes in the 11^e daytime.

Faced with a combative Clermont, the Maritimes had to work hard in a shock marked by numerous faults (6 yellow cards in total, 3 for each team), to finally win 20 to 15.

After a first try from Teddy Thomas, Ronan O'Gara's men thought they had done the hardest part with Ultan Dillane's try, escaped from a maul (17-3, 33^e). But the visitors didn't give up, coming back to score after a penalty try rewarding their playing intentions.

An essay by Raka (55^e) even allowed ASM to put the Rochelais in doubt at an indecisive end to the match, and which ultimately offered Clermont a deserved defensive bonus point.

Toulon plays against Pau

And four. Winner of Pau (56-25), the RCT has a fourth consecutive success in the Top 14, the sixth in all competitions, and clings to the podium in the general classification.

However, everything was not simple, against the Palois who knew how to exploit Toulon's errors to stay on track (24-13 at the break). Back at 24-20, the Béarnais then exploded, as they often do away from home this season.

Thanks in particular to two doubles from their wingers Villière and Dréan, in full swing at the moment, the Toulonnais finally seized the offensive bonus.

Solid Bayonne at Rabine

Falling from a height against Edinburgh (52-12) last week, the Basques reacted well to Rabine, showing formidable efficiency against Vannes (27-21) to consolidate their place in the top 6.

Very undisciplined (23 penalties, two yellow cards), the Blue and White were able to count on their center Sireli Maqala, top scorer in the Top 14, author of one try and decisive on a second.

The Vannes red lantern, who had achieved a feat by winning in La Rochelle on the last day, believed in the feat in added time, but paid for his numerous unconverted chances.

The Stade français gives itself some fresh air

Under pressure after two defeats in the Champions Cup, Stade Français finally sees the red zone move away a little, thanks to its success against Perpignan (27-7) at Jean-Bouin, and moves from 12^e at 10^e place.

Sanctioned with three red cards in two weeks, the Parisians this time knew how to keep their nerves in a meeting which never really took off, but missed the opportunity to take the bonus against the playful Catalans who suffered a lot in second period.

Racing 92 may have regrets about its trip to Montpellier. Defeated 21-17 in a choppy encounter, the Racingmen first paid for their indiscipline, before missing the victory against the Héraultais reduced to 13.