By winning against Castres (33-12), Aviron Bayonnais proved that it would be a serious candidate in the race for qualification. The Basques settle on the podium of the Top 14tied with Toulon. They were predicted a historic fall, but it was nothing of the sort. Stade Français Paris, made up mainly of young players from its training center, held it high at a gloomy Stade Toulousainuninspired. Certainly the pink soldiers bowed (38-23), but this meeting can be a trigger for the rest of the championship. Finally, Jack Maddocks was radiant against Vannes, like Tavite Veredamu against Clermontwho in addition to his essay, released an XXL performance. Here is the information to remember from the weekend.
Bayonne is serious
We can now affirm it. At mid-season, Aviron Bayonnais is officially a serious candidate for the top 6 in June. The Basques defeated Castres in Dauger (33-12), in a match that had all the trappings of it.
Because the Bayonnais had to confirm their great victory in Vannes, against an opponent, more vengeful than ever. After a very heavy defeat at Clermont (54-10), a setback at Pierre Fabre against UBB (3-13), the Tarnais had targeted this trip on the banks of the Adourwith the ambition of keeping the wagon of qualified people in their sights. Eventually, they left empty-handed. The fault lies with realistic Bayonnais, far from being flamboyant, but who knew how to feed off visiting errors, in particular this restart from the in-goal, or the failure at the foot of Pierre Popelin.
And this is where Rowing impresses. Even less attractive than during their last outings, Camille Lopez's teammates showed themselves to be realisticsolid and never doubted, not even when the CO, through the former of the house Rémy Baget, came back within gunshot (16-12). Better yet, they passed 30 points to a team that came to Jean Dauger with intentions. Enough to confirm that this team has definitely, under the leadership of Grégory Patat, shifted into another dimension. Third and finally on the podium mid-Top 14, Rowing will now have the ambition to experience the final phases in June. And with such solidity, it will not be an achievement to see the Basques appear in the six best teams in our championship in the spring.
Maddocks, the perfect week
The Australian fullback of the Paloise Section, Jack Maddocks (1m94-96kg), has just experienced a dream week at the foot of the Pyrenees. The 27-year-old player, who arrived in Pau in 2021has in fact extended its lease with the Section until 2027the club announced last Wednesday. He returned to his leaders the trust they placed in him. A few days after this announcement, the Wallabies international (7 selections) delivered a high-level performance against Vannes.
If he was initially blocked on these clearances, he then returned to his part in the most beautiful way. Well served by superb work from an imperial Joe Simmonds also this Saturday, Maddocks dived into the Promised Land and scored the locals' first try facing Vannes residents then in front (18e). A few minutes later, it's him, on a superb blind pivot passwhich allowed Aaron Grandidier to achieve his goal. Before, serving perfectly after contact Emilien Gailleton, mobilizing two defenders and freeing up space, the action ending 80 meters further, Luc completing the masterpiece in the Breton goal.
You will therefore have understood, a first half to be combined with the past perfect which did not remain without follow-up. He will go for his double after returning from the locker room, allowing his team, to definitely set sail and win (48-24).
Certainly, we can blame him for his two or three lost balloons, his blocked or missed kicks at the start of the match. But in terms of the overall performance, Jack Maddocks shined. And above all, has once again established itself as an indispensable element of the Section.
Les Titis Parisiens have heart
They were promised hell, us first. It is clear that the Titis of Stade Français, did better than meet the challenge this Sunday eveningat the end of this thirteenth day of Top 14, on the pitch of the Stadium facing Stade Toulousain.
A little flashback. Having prioritized the reception of the Union Bordeaux-BèglesStade Français sends a completely overhauled teamfor this Clasico in Toulouse. Except for Joe Marchant, Louis Carbonel, Ryan Chapuis, JJ Van der Mescht and Yoan Tanga, the Parisian team is composed mostly young players from its training center (Scelzo, Timo, Blum, Laloi, Monin, Meité, Koffi, etc.), or players, posted by the staff at the start of the season (Storti, Foursans, Petriashvili, etc.). Facing the pink soldiers? An XXL Haut-Garonnaise team, made up of a host of stars except Antoine Dupont, ill a few hours before kick-off of this historic poster of French rugby.
As a result, many observers have been critical of the capital club, accusing them of not playing the game. Is it these numerous comments who galvanized the pink workforce? And in return, who unconsciously released the people of Toulouse? Still, at the break, the visitors were only eight points behind (14-6) and could even bite their fingers. Besides this test on a ball carried perfectly concluded by Marchand, the locals showed nothing and came up against the valor of the Parisiansnot very dangerous with the ball in hand, it is true (apart from a test opportunity), but devilishly effective in defense and perfectly occupying the opposing camp. It took a gag attempt from Graou to allow the Toulouse residents to gain some momentum.
Same scenario during the second act. The Rouge et Noir will initially stand out, on a new cap test, where the swelling miraculously returns to the hands of Ntamack (55e). But Paris has heart and will even make the 30,000 spectators at the Stadium tremble, returning to five points thanks to a try from Azagoh and the boot of Carbonel (21-16, 62e). Unfortunately, following two errors from Joe Jonas, Toulouse will regain a fifteen-point lead (try on a maul from Mauvaka, penalty from Ramos). But again, Stade Français will react to a test by Charles Laloi. Originally? An exceptional breakthrough by Léo Moninbefore Juan Martin Scelzo, in a classic two against one, sent his winger behind the line. Ugo Mola's men will have the last word and snatch the offensive bonus on yet another ball carried concluded by Mauvakabut the main thing is elsewhere.
Now eleventh in the Top 14, Stade Français Paris showed values on which he will have to rely on to reverse the dynamics of his season. Not to mention the XXL performances of its young people, the Parisian club will now be able to count on Foursans or Petriashvili, both authors of a very solid match. Above all, the state of mind, the numerous encouragements, prove that this club remains as special as ever. It is up to the executives, who remained in Paris, to confirm what we saw against the UBB.
Unstoppable Veredamu
What a match from Tavite Veredamu! At 35, the Fijian winger, French international at 7, already scoring against Stade Français a week earlier, has done it again and delivered an impressive performance. This Sunday, USAP played big. And the Catalans responded by winning (21-13) facing a Stade Rochelais, far from the level at which we expect it, timid and without genius.
From this match? We will therefore remember the festival of the Usapist winger. At the conclusion of a beautiful movement, above all, he was at the origin of several hot situations. It's very simple, each time the oval came back into his arms, the winger was dangerous. He could even have register one of the solo trials of the yearon a tumble along the sideline. Unfortunately, he will lose control of the ball when flattening.
Perpignan, twelfth, tied with Paris, will fight until the last moments for his survival in the elite. But with such an X factor in its ranks, capable of solving any situation, through its power, its extraordinary technique, but also its speed, everything remains more possible than ever.
