“There are good things but without finishing the work. We do 90% of the work and then we pass off as blowjobs,” says Rémi Picquette, disillusioned. Thanks to Attissogbe (7-0, 9th) then Brau-Boirie (14-7, 39th), the Section Paloise took the lead at the break. Then suffered, with achievements from Boshoff (14-14, 46th) and Morgan (14-19, 55th). The local forwards then took the lead, with a penalty try obtained (21-19, 65th) as well as Roudil's try (28-19, 70th). But Edwards (28-24, 74th) then L. Davies (28-31, 77th) delivered two stabs.
The dumpling: an expensive box
“This yellow card really pisses off because it is first of all stupid and then it costs the team dearly,” fumed captain Eliott Roudil at a press conference. Having returned from the locker room, the Ospreys impose a new long offensive sequence on the Palois. Edwards sends a double jump on the wing, which Arfeuil anticipates. But the Pau winger lets himself be carried away by his momentum and pushes forward.
Volunteer according to Mr. Vedovelli – after calling for the video – who brandishes the yellow card for number 11. In the process, Boshoff crosses the line (14-14, 46th). And just before the international 7s returned to the game, Morgan flattened into a trickster (14-19, 55th). For the first time, the Welsh are in front.
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Breaking down: 5 minutes to ruin everything
When Eliott Roudil scored Pau's fourth try (28-19, 70th), we said to ourselves that it was over. Because the locals seemed serene, while the visitors looked exhausted. “We have the impression that they are breaking but we are not killers, we must finish,” regrets Rémi Picquette. Against the men of Swansea, it was the swan song. “It’s the high level, the guys don’t give up,” breathes Roudil.
And for good reason! At the end of a pair of long and controlled offensive sequences, the Ospreys turned the tables. First by Edwards (28-24, 74th) then Luke Davies, after Robson gave an intercepted ball back to Morgan (!) (28-31, 77th). Behind, Pau has two last munitions. Wasted on a ruck then a lost touch…
The number: 5
Five penalties obtained in scrums is huge. And it was very useful to the Section, in a sector that it largely dominated, like last week against the Dragons. The second test follows three tests of strength largely won by the green and white pack, concluded by Brau-Boirie (14-7, 39th). The third, a penalty, was the exclusive work of the Béarnais forwards, who pushed Mr. Vedovelli to stretch his arms under the posts, after four consecutive penalties 5 meters from the Welsh line, including three from scrum (21-19 , 65th).
-As for the last one, the Palois played very well behind a scrum in the opposing 22 following a forward drive from the visitors after a low kick from Attissogbe (28-19, 70th). The foot is what Pau could have used even more, since the Vert et Blanc recovered 10 balls in the air. “Our strong points were conquest, direct play, territory and high balls. We had the solutions. You just had to continue to love this Rugby to win a match,” judges Brandon Fajardo.
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The rest: a round of 16 at the Hameau
Winners with the offensive bonus, the Ospreys finished best second and secured a round of 16 then a possible quarter at home. The objective that Pau was aiming for. However, the locals have not lost everything. By gleaning a double bonus, defensive and offensive, the Palois finished third in group 2, with 12 points. They will therefore necessarily appear among the two best third-place finishers and will therefore receive 8th. On the other hand, the opponent will be of a higher caliber, since it will be a reverse among the fifth groups of the Champions Cup.
The player: Fabien Brau-Boirie
Upgraded with France U20 last season, Fabien Brau-Boirie is a young promise in French rugby. Against the Ospreys, he showed why. He is the player in the Section who gained the most ball meters in hands (70) and beat the most defenders (5). Without forgetting to give three offloads. Including one, decisive, on Attissogbe's try (9th). He opened a gap in the 31st on a pass from Roudil, caught when he was going to kick to follow. Then he quickly offered to go close to the line to score before the break (39th).
“I'm not surprised. He's an extra player. The biggest difficulty for Fabien is starting the match well. When he gets into it at the first action, he performs like that. He is ultra-dominant,” testifies Brandon Fajardo. Author of a complete performance, the 19-year-old Bigourdan center did not only shine in rewarding tasks. He tackled then scratched the ball at the Welsh back (52nd), then threw himself on the 3rd line Morse to prevent him from flattening, just before Morgan's try (55th).
In the end, he made 11 defensive interventions. “In France, I think it will very quickly become essential. He just has to work very hard and be very hard on himself. Because when he is comfortable, he is not at that level,” warns Fajardo. A little overcooked at the end, Brau-Boirie tried to sound the revolt with a final ruckus. In vain… But we obviously haven't seen everything: “He's very ahead of a lot of things. He is very good in the air, on contacts. He moves, has hands, lists the head coach. He also has a big left foot, even if we didn’t see it.”
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