Historic day in Brittany! Vannes won the first European match in its history. The Bretons, in the lead throughout the match, easily dominated the English from Gloucester with a score of 43 to 19. With this improved success, they can still believe in qualification.
Defeated in the final minutes of play in Georgia last week for their baptism of fire in the Challenge Cup, the men of RC Vannes were able to pull themselves together to celebrate the first victory in their European history at home. Authors of a thunderous start to the match, the Bretons then demonstrated great offensive qualities to overcome a seasoned team (finalist last season and winner of the competition in 2006 and 2015). With 6 tries on the clock, the Morbihannais have gained confidence in view of the matches to come at the end of the year 2024.
There was no need to be late!
Four tries in nine minutes and a score of 19 to 7 even though the match had just started! One thing is certain, it is that the Bretons had prepared for their match and that they were full of good will! Thus, three great offensives were carried out thanks to Benmegal and Ruru (two tries) from the start of the evening! Fortunately for the visitors, Harris also went into the goal to prevent the game from being over before it had even really started. After the madness of these first ten minutes, the game was balanced. Test opportunities became rarer while Beziat received the first yellow card of the evening (26th). At the half-hour mark, the Bretons also shone defensively, twice repelling the attacks of the Cherry and Whites who missed the opportunity to get back on the scoreboard.
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Vannes takes the break
Very clean offensively, the Morbihannais were able to give themselves some breathing room by sending Benmegal into the goal for the second time of the evening. The young winger rewarded the public with a beautiful dive in the corner to put the English at a respectable distance (26/7, 47th). But for all that, Gloucester did not let themselves be defeated without a fight and in the 55th minute, it was Blackmore who gave his team some hope, followed shortly after by a try from Norris which made La Rabine somewhat doubtful. (26/19, 59th). After this bad patch, the Bretons managed to move forward! Dominant, they managed to send two mauls into the opposing goal! The first in the 66th and the second in the 71st, widening an irremediable gap (40/19). Reduced to 14, the English gave everything until the end but in vain. On the siren, Lafage concluded the spectacle with a penalty, formalizing the first victory in the history of RC Vannes in a European competition!
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Confidence before the Top 14
This enhanced success allows Vannes to take a nice breath of fresh air before starting a block of three Top 14 matches crucial with a view to maintaining their position. Bayonne, Pau and Clermont will be on the program for the Vannes celebrations before returning to the Challenge Cup in January with the reception of Edinburgh then a trip to the Scarlets. With 6 points, the Bretons are 2nd in this group 3 this evening and therefore in the running to qualify for the 8th finals. The party was beautiful!
