This ninth day of Top 14 marked the return of the famous doubles. Many clubs therefore had to do without their executives, even if some were able to count on the return of their players summoned to Marcoussis. Among them, Charles Ollivon particularly stood out, but many players who passed through Essonne this week were in difficulty on the championship pitches.
The CNR grounds in Marcoussis are undoubtedly the most efficient in all of France, but this ninth day of Top 14 showed us that nothing beats a week of training with your teammates. Many players who passed through Essonne this week and were sent back to their club for this weekend were in difficulty. Some, like Charles Ollivon, have still managed to do well.
King Charles Ollivon
As since the start of the season, Clermontois are unplayable at home, this time it was the people of Bordeaux who rubbed shoulders with it and were stung at the same time. Called up with the XV of France at the start of the week, Régis Montagne had a rather sober match. It's especially the young center Léon Darricarrère who distinguished himself. Although he has no official selection, he played the match against Uruguay during the last tour to Argentina. Opposite, two players returned from Ile de France to help their team. Maxime Luca did not know how to animate his team enough to hope to bring back better than a defensive bonus point, while Romain Buroswithout having a bad match, was not as flamboyant as during his last outings.
To be Nouchi also had spent his week with the Blues and his entry made people believe for a long time that it had succeeded for him. But we will remember from his match his last missed touch which gave victory to Castres. Arthur Vincent who has not played with the French XV since the World Cup (apart from the match against Uruguay) did not achieve a great performance on the pitch at Pierre-Fabre.
If we had to name just one player that the Parisian air has visibly invigorated, Charles Ollivon would be at the top of the list. Visibly downgraded in the hierarchy of the third lines, the former captain of the France team had a superb match against Lyon. Best known for his attraction to the offensive, it was in defense that he distinguished himself at Mayol. Author of an excellent 18/20 in tackling. In touch, the original Basques stole two munitions from the Lyonnais in the last five minutes. He also scratched a ball in a hot situation two minutes from time. In short, the dream match for a player of his position.
Esteban Abadiewho was officiating on the other side of the third row, also had a great performance. Conversely, Baptiste Serin who has gotten into the habit of carrying the RCT on his shoulders, and who will join Marcoussis to compensate for the injury of Nolann Le Garrecwas less efficient than usual. In front, Léo Berdeuwho, on the strength of his impressive start to the season, had spent the start of the week with the Blues, missed out on his match. Replaced shortly after the break, he undoubtedly produced his least successful performance since the start of the year which he had flown through.
The Attissogbe nightmare
If he had taken his crampons correctly, Theo Attissogbe visibly left his mind in Marcoussis. Coming into play shortly after the break, the young winger experienced a very complicated encounter. Faulty on the tests of Natuivi then Tuisova, he finds himself holed each time under plays at the feet. On James' last try, his defense was ineffective. A match to forget for the young U20 world champion, replaced before the final whistle.
In front, Cameron Wokialso recently downgraded with the Blues but recalled to prepare for this tour, experienced a dark afternoon. Substitute at kick-off, he made a mistake a few minutes after his entry and received a yellow card. Returning to the meadow, the Ile-de-France resident is penalized again and receives a second yellow, synonymous with red.
Always repositioned in the center to accommodate the Stade français, Teddy Thomas still showed itself largely to its advantage. But this Saturday evening at the Deflandre stadium, all eyes were on Oscar Jegou. If he cannot be selected until a dismissal of the case has been pronounced in the case of aggravated rape in which he remains under investigation, the young La Rochelle shone on the field. Author of an essay, he was able to celebrate his return to a rugby field. In front, Louis Carbonel in difficulty since his arrival in the capital had a full match and even scored all the points for the Pink Soldiers.
For the last meeting of this ninth day, Bayonne hosted Toulouse. But Matthis Lebel and above all Anthony Jelonch were unable to take advantage of this playing time to shine. The former simply went through this match without spark. The second appeared to be in difficulty, as he has been since his return from injury. With the ball in hand, he lacked power and sometimes fell back against the good Basque defense. He is especially guilty of a bad gesture on Habel-Kuffner and receives a yellow card. A match that the third row will have to quickly forget if he wants to have a chance of being selected by Fabien Galthié and his staff for the first match of the tour this Saturday against Japan.
