Yet authors of a thunderous start to the match with three tries in the first twenty-five minutes, the Racingmen fell back into their ways afterwards, seeing Usap return to the scoreboard. Final victory with a score of 30-23 for the Ile-de-France residents, who won but did not really reassure.
Duel between two teams located at the bottom of the ranking, with the same number of points before kick-off, but also a similar desire to collect points to aim a little higher. This was the mission proposed to Racing 92 and Perpignan, in search of certainties according to aspirations and contexts. After an opening score from Le Garrec, still as skillful in the exercise (3-0, 3rd), the locals continued their business. Farrell unlocked his personal counter by scoring his first try in the Ciel et Blanc jersey, with a dribble in the middle, recovered by him between the posts (10-, 8th). Aucagne reduced the score immediately, with a distant penalty (10-3, 12th), but it was still not enough to dampen the local enthusiasm.
Le Garrec first of all, took advantage of a solid action from Dayimani on the wing, to come up and take the test with an action full of speed (17-3, 17th). Dayimani, again, was at the conclusion of a major breakthrough from Spring from 30 meters. A fixation from the back and the powerful third center line collapsed behind the line (24-3, 24th). While Franck Azéma's men could have foundered in the face of so many opposing elements, the Catalans somehow fought back. In defense, but also in closed scrum and territoriality. In this little game, Montgaillard will benefit from good work from his forwards, to be propelled to the promised land, as a reward for many minutes spent in the opposing camp (24-10, 37th).
Perpignan has revised its standards far from its bases
Le Garrec quickly put the score in his favor (27-10, 43rd), but what followed would give rise to a significant takeover by the visitors of the ball and the initiatives. Faced with crazy discipline near his line (3 yellow cards), Stuart Lancaster's troops suffered the Catalan awakening. Barraque, well served by De la Fuente, will go between the posts after an endless sequence near the promised land (27-17, 63rd). The Sang et Or's hold was increasing, Aucagne on distant penalties, even offering a temporary defensive bonus at the end (27-23, 78th). Nay! Barraque makes a mistake after the dismissal, and Le Garrec will take away this reward, on the 40 meters, for the success in the arena (30-23, 80th).
The Ile-de-France residents achieved valuable success in their den. Having struggled since the start of the competition in terms of content and rugby demands, Stuart Lancaster's men raised the bar in several registers before gradually collapsing. A victory which allows the locals to still consider the next trip to Pau, with strength in work and preparation and by extension, a better ranking.
Usap did not save money, far from it. Due to lack of potable and frequent ammunition in the first act, on the synthetic covering which could have offered some saving offensives, given its characteristics, the Catalans ended up giving in despite a very good second period. Not enough to call into question the entirety of their rugby even if the defensive bonus was reaching out to them, but enough to be alert for the extremely important match against Vannes next week before the international break.