During each Top 14 match, L'Indépendant offers its favorites and favorites. After the new away defeat, in Paris (24-7), look back at the performance of the blood and gold.
We liked
The melee
It wasn't perfect, that's true. But the scrum remains a satisfaction of this match. It could have been a bigger one, because it allowed the USAP to put itself in a position to score. The best example being the try of Tavite Veredamu (28th) with a pass coming out of the scrum. Before that, six points could have been scored thanks to this phase of play. The two missed penalties from Tommaso Allan (8th, 11th) were obtained from mistakes by Stade Français in the scrum. Certainly, USAP was penalized once and punished with two broken arms, but this did not directly lead to points conceded. USAP could have had a lot more weight on the scoreboard thanks to its scrum, and that's a good point.
The results of the weekend
No, the blood and gold have still not signed an away victory. Yes, they gave up points against a direct competitor in the standings. But, fortunately, the USAP is not in more difficulty on the evening of the 12th day than before. And for good reason, Vannes lost at home without taking a defensive bonus (21-27 defeat against Bayonne). And Pau was crushed away from home, in Toulon (56-25), exposing the same problems as the Catalans far from Béarn. As a result, USAP remains four points ahead of last place, and an advantage over an opponent it precedes thanks to field points (11-10 victory against Pau).
We didn't like
Late coaching
It was a sector that could arouse curiosity with this match against Stade Français: the bench. Because the USAP seemed to display eight interesting “finishers”. In any case, enough to believe that blood and gold could shake Paris at the end of the match. Roelofse, Lam, Ceccarelli, Fa'aso'o, Hall, Aucagne, Naqalevu… Power, experience and often starting players lately. In short, quality, in addition to the young Alessandro Ortombina who has not been left behind in terms of performance in recent weeks. But now, the first change came in the 64th minute of play. Rare enough to highlight it. And question yourself. Franck Azéma was more accustomed to making his first tactical changes around the 50th minute. Even at half-time, when USAP is stalling, like against Pau at home or against Racing. One of the explanations may be the fairly satisfactory period of USAP at the start of the second half, therefore forcing the blood and gold manager to continue to play with his same strengths. The fact remains that with a qualitative and experienced bench, at 17-7, it could have made it possible to force the Parisian lock with its freshness. But we'll never know.
Indiscipline on carried balls
Paris has used it. USAP exposed itself. Stade Français had targeted carried balls as a potential flaw for the blood and gold in recent times, due to their lack of power, but also their indiscipline. It was through this that Paris scored its first try from Marchant, taking advantage of an advantage on the construction of the ball carried. And even if the USAP prevented Paris from winning the offensive bonus after multiple mauls, it got into difficulty by often entering the side. Lucas Velarte, Ignacio Ruiz and Noé Della Schiava being picked up by the patrol. “It’s an area that is difficult and complicated to defend. We have to be able to control that on our side,” analyzed Franck Azéma at the end of the match. This is part of the “precision” to be won in training wanted by Lucas Velarte. And allow the USAP to promote its solid defense, because it has not directly broken in this sector of play.
Rugby
France
