No miracle at La Rabine: Stade Toulousain, the reigning champion, made a successful start to the Top 14 on Sunday by beating RC Vannes 43-18, who played the first match in the history of Breton rugby in the first division. Without really forcing their talent, the Toulousains, who led 23-6 at half-time, managed to pocket the offensive bonus point at the siren (5 tries to 2).
In their pre-match statements, the Vannetais spoke of a David and Goliath duel, between a club new to the highest level and the most beautiful track record in French rugby. With ten of the fifteen starters from the last Top 14 final on the match sheet, coach Ugo Mola showed that he was wary of the Pro D2 champion, with a promising recruitment with Mako Vunipola as the figurehead and three-quarters experienced in the jousts of the Top 14 or Super rugby (Saili, Nakosi, Rayasi).
Toulouse wasted no time
The players’ entrance, to the sound of bagpipes and amidst the flags of the nine countries that make up historic Brittany, brought a touch of novelty to the Top 14 in a stadium heated to white heat where the “Gwenn ha du” (name of the Breton flag) were waving. For this historic match, the 66 Breton clubs had been invited to Morbihan. Almost from the kick-off, the Vannetais learned the very high level and the harsh law of the Top 14. After a botched reception, the Toulousains scored the first try after a beautiful pass from Kinghorn to Ramos (3rd). In a (literally) cathedral silence, Ramos converted. Vannes, rather dominant in the scrum, made too many errors and approximations to worry Romain N’Tamack’s teammates. In the 29th minute, despite a period of intense domination, Vannes conceded a try on the counterattack with a recovered ball and a well-executed action, concluded by Alexandre Roumat (30th minute, 23-6). Jean-Noël Spitzer, the historic coach of RCV who was not present on the bench due to a suspension, had said before the match “to try to lead the best team in the world into a showdown for as long as possible”. But with 23-6 at half-time, the gap seemed prohibitive and it was hard to see how Vannes could turn things around.
Vannes tried to come back but…
History will remember that it was the English pillar with 79 caps Mako Vunipola who scored the first Breton try in the Top 14 after an intense pounding of the line. La Rabine exulted and RCV caught up (26-13, 54th). Vannes pushed but the Toulousains, dominating in the ground game, thwarted the Breton attacks. Theo N’Tamack scored a 3rd try after a great run for the French champions (33-13). Following a “penal touch”, Van der Merwe scored a 2nd try for RCV (33-18, 66th). After a major action, Pita Ahki scored a 4th try (38-18) while Toulouse dreamed of pocketing an offensive bonus. And finally, it was mission accomplished on a combination from 5 meters and a strong try from David Ainuu. The valiant Bretons were nevertheless able to perform a lap of honour to the cheers of their public.
- RMC Sport
