the essential
The two number 10s, who also rub shoulders within the French XV, challenged each other this Sunday, September 29 at Ernest-Wallon (4th day of Top 14). If the score turned in favor of Bordeais (16-12), there was a match within the match between the two star players.
It is always one of the most scrutinized duels when Toulousains and Girondins face each other in the Top 14. The match within the match between the two openers of the France team, Romain Ntamack and Matthieu Jalibert, however, did not hold all its promises this Sunday, September 29 in the evening.
The two number 10s did not really succeed in enhancing their team’s play even if we can give a slight advantage to Toulouse. Left to rest last week, during the trip to Montpellier, Romain Ntamack however struggled to start his match. His kick-off landed directly in touch giving his forwards the opportunity to warm up their shoulders from the start with a scrum in the center (1).
But then he quickly put his head back together. First by trying twice to take the interval before the quarter of an hour of play. Each time caught at the last minute by a Bordeaux-Beglais arm, when he thought he had done the hardest part.
And if he managed to find an excellent touch 5 m from the goal line thanks to a marvel of a perfectly timed inside kick (39), he also missed the penalty a few minutes later early on, the fault of a slightly too short slipper. But the main feat of arms of the Toulouse flyhalf will arrive in the second act.
While three UBB players set off at full stride to score the break try on a counter too easily conceded by the Stadistes (61st), Ntamack came back from nowhere on Enzo Reybier to push him into touch just before it doesn’t flatten. A very expensive rescue…
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Meanwhile, his competitor was having a complicated evening to say the least. Not really flamboyant in the game, except for this little ball over the top for himself, well felt and narrowly saved by Ramos. It was in particular against the poles that Matthieu Jalibert failed. He missed the two transformations of his team while the UBB had scored two tries in quick succession (19, 22). Certainly, these two shots on goal were not easy, but the opener let four points slip away, leaving his team within gunshot of the Stadistes (6 points).
But Toulouse did not take advantage, Ramos missing the transformation on Mauvaka’s try (71st). Conversely, opposite, the Bordelais were going to ensure. Not disturbed by the whistles of the Walloon, Garcia replaced Jalibert in the shooting exercise and passed the winning penalty to over 55 meters (76). Paid choice.
