Our special correspondent’s favorites and claws

Special envoy to Vannes

FAVORITES

RC Vannes with honors

Many promised them hell. But the Vannetais, for their first match in the Top 14, fell weapons in hand this Sunday against Stade Toulousain (18-38), the reigning French and European champion. The Vannetais forwards were able to rise to the intense physical challenge proposed by the Red and Black, they held their own. Better still, the Bretons even scored, in force, their first two tries in the Top 14 by Mako Vunipola (53^e), who showed this Sunday that he did not come to Brittany in early retirement, then by Christie Van der Merwe (66^e). A remarkable performance. The rest of the season promises to be tough, complicated in the long run, but the Vannetais – as they repeated before the restart – did not come as sacrificial victims. To be confirmed, away, next week against Stade Français Paris. Another great challenge.

Also readVannes-Toulouse: relive the Bretons’ first complicated match in Top 14 against Stade Toulousain

The cold efficiency of Toulouse

In the “clash of champions” between the Top 14 and the Pro D2, Toulouse lived up to its status as the best team in France. Romain Ntamack’s teammates (inspired this Sunday) were able to be ultra-efficient from the start, especially on foot, and they never let go of their grip. When Vannes, more solid and powerful, pushed in the second half, the Red and Blacks were able to drive the nail in the coffin, on the hour mark, by scoring three tries: by Théo Ntamack (60^e) Pita Ahki (76^e) then David Ainu’u (80^e+2). Each time they accelerated, Ugo Mola’s players made the Vannetais bend. Deprived of several key players (notably Antoine Dupont and Peato Mauvaka), Toulouse lost none of its efficiency and its striking force. The mark of (very great) champions.

Ramos, a guarantee of safety

A boss’s return. Thomas Ramos was, for his first match of the season, decisive on the waterlogged pitch of La Rabine. On the first action of the reigning French champions, it was he who came to score the first try of the match, after a superb skipped pass from Romain Ntamack and a judicious double from Blair Kinghorn. Impeccably efficient. Besides that, the full-back of the French XV was, once again, formidable in his role as scorer (4 penalties, 3 conversions). Not disturbed by the silence of La Rabine. He allowed his team to widen the gap at the start of the match. Fair and efficient every time.

The Magical Charm of Rabin

We enter another world. Passing through buildings dating from the 18th century, between a chapel, a music conservatory and a convent. Out of time. The Stade de la Rabine, located in the very centre of Vannes, a stone’s throw from the port, is a unique, original venue, and it is now part of the Top 14 landscape. A breath of fresh sea air. For this great first in the elite of the French championship, the Breton supporters, proud and determined, had responded. The atmosphere was electric this Sunday. Except when the scorers were facing the posts. Cathedral silence. A magnificent rugby tradition that has been lost. It is necessary that it is a promoted team that teaches the others a lesson.

Also readTop 14: for its first in the elite, Vannes resists but logically loses to Toulouse

CLAW STRIKES

First half spoils highlights

It was one of Vannes’ great strengths last season in Pro D2: a cold efficiency when they entered the opponent’s 22m. This Sunday, it was more complicated against a team of the caliber of Toulouse. The Morbihannais experienced their first big highlight of the match around the 20^e minute, for one of their first forays into the Toulouse 22m. Chaining together big playing times and pushing the Red and Blacks back. La Rabine then got completely fired up, but the Bretons came up against a wall and were unable to get the opposing lock to jump. A big expenditure of energy for nothing and, in the process, they conceded a counterattack try concluded by Alexandre Roumat. Cruel. Same on this new huge opportunity wasted by a forward pass from Francis Saili (38^e), a few minutes later. Prohibitive against an armada as impressive as Toulouse, which quickly took the score and widened the gap.

Too much waste for the RCV

At this level, it is unforgiving. Vannes tried several shots, managed to catch the Toulouse defense at fault on a few occasions. But, each time, a small forward pass, a small handling error, a poorly assured pass came to spoil these initiatives. Too bad because, after 20 minutes of observation, the intentions were there. The RCV players did not seem inhibited by the event, by the pressure of this first at home. But, with these small (and regular) failures, the Bretons struggled for a long time to be dangerous. Even if they were much sharper in the second half.