Pro D2 – Brive wins against leader Vannes and maintains hope of the final phase

Before returning to play its semi-final in its Rabine stadium at the end of the month, RC Vannes wanted to end its regular season home matches on a good note on Thursday evening against CA Brive. But opposite, the Corrèze team was already in elimination match mode. Because at the slightest misstep, the Brivists will be knocked out of the race at the final phase. And in the end, the standoff was won by hungry Corréziens, 21-26.

Brivists already in elimination match mode

For Brive, the trip to Vannes this Thursday evening was a sort of round of 16 in this Pro D2 championship. If they no longer have the right to make mistakes at the end of the season, the Corréziens have fulfilled their mission perfectly by winning on the lawn of the Vannes leader. Above all, Ross Moriarty’s partners were able to be catchy and determined, finally succeeding in swinging the match in their favor in the second act.

Because during the first period, the numerous and well-attended audience at La Rabine were able to witness a nice showdown, the premise of the final phase to come. The championship leader first took the lead with a try from Joe Edwards (12th), following a long collective movement notably initiated by a breakaway from Romaric Camou on the right wing. Applied, visitors respond quite quickly. By a penalty from Stuart Olding then thanks to a try from Léo Carbonneau, welcome to the interior support of Georges Shvelidze, at the end of a Brivist attack where the players multiplied the passes after contact at the heart of the opposing defense (7 -10, 20th). The crossover on the scoreboard is underway. Andy Bordelai can powerfully conclude a new Vannes attack, launched after touch (28th). However, a final penalty from Stuart Olding allowed the Corréziens to stick with the Bretons at the break (14-13).

Brive, thick with his pack

Then comes the highlight of the Corréziens in the first part of the second period. Brive recovers penalties from scrums, and also scores a try taking advantage of the advance of his pack. After a fix from Johnson, his center friend Georges Shvelidze points into the in-goal (55th). The CAB takes control of this meeting and will not let go. Vannes misplaces some precious ammunition on the sidelines and does not find the solution in the closed scrum test. Brive then seeks to capitalize on each situation, Stuart Olding attempting penalties as soon as they present themselves, even beyond the halfway line. With the boot of Olding, Brive increases its lead (14-27). Above all, the Corréziens then showed themselves to be very generous in defense and hampered the Vannes players in their game, which was sometimes a little less well-oiled than usual. However, the Bretons are far from being leaders by chance and show it on a throw of play after touch. Repeated passes in the center of the field, rapid play towards the right wing, fixation of the back Thibaut Debaes for a try from Paul Surano and with the transformation of Maxime Lafage, La Rabine regains hope (21-23, 70th). But Brive got his hands on the scrum in this part and recovered a new penalty which Tom Raffy passed (21-26, 74th). In the aspiration of his inspired scrum half Léo Carbonneau, the Brivistes finished the game with mastery and validated this success. Vannes – guaranteed to play its semi-final at home at the end of the month – will follow the performance of Provence rugby in Biarritz this Friday to see if the Breton team still retains the lead in the championship. And for its part, Brive put pressure on Mont-de-Marsan and Nevers, particularly in the race for a place in the final phase. If Vannes should use this setback to prepare for its semi-final, the end of the regular phase of the championship promises to be thrilling. Thus, theOn the last day of the regular season next Friday, Vannes will travel to Agen. For its part, Brive will finish at home in front of Biarritz.