Challenge Cup – Beaten by Edinburgh, Vannes sees qualification slip away

Faced with the Scottish superstars of Edinburgh, led by Duhan Van der Merwe, Darcy Graham or even their captain Jamie Ritchie, Vannes – with its squad quite largely renewed for the occasion – wanted to have fun and go and tickle a Chardon XV almost at the complete. And from the start of the meeting, the visitors, strong from their great success against Bayonne in December 52-12wanted to show the Bretons that they were going to suffer the same fate this Saturday afternoon. Ali Price spreads on the outside for his back Wesley Goosen, who just has to go and flatten at the end of the line. The only downside for the Scots after 10 minutes of play was the ineffectiveness at the foot of Ben Healy, who misses his first two kicks of the match (0-5, 8th).

But Vannes does not intend to let this happen, and the forwards, very visible throughout the game, will allow Jules Le Bail to unlock the locals’ counter just after the first quarter of an hour has passed (3-5 , 16th).

Each time in reaction, Vannes runs after the score

No time to celebrate for Jean-Noël Spitzer’s men, as the visitors immediately charged back. And a minute after Jules Le Bail’s penalty, the Scots scored their second try of the game, after the good work of Matt Currie, who celebrated his 50th in the Edinburgh jersey this afternoon. The center serves Darcy Graham, who stares at the last defender before finding Ali Price on the inside (3-12, 18th).

In this game of cat and mouse, Vannes will return to the scoreboard, after the powerful try of its captain Joe Edwards, who will obtain the man of the match trophy after another great score delivered by the third center line (10-12, 27th).

But once again, two minutes later, the Bretons will once again be surprised by the speed of the Scots on the wings. James Lang, the other center, finds Ali Price at his side, who goes to score a double under the posts, almost too easy. Vannes must once again find the resources to get back together (10-19, 30th).

A test before the break which will give hope to the RCV

Vannes pushes to return to the locker room with less than a converted try behind. Salesi Rayasi, also very prominent today, found the interval by breaking two tackles and after a huge racket on Ali Price. Within 5 meters, the Bretons wait with their fronts before exploding with their rears. Jules Le Bail launches Jean Cotarmanac’h, who serves his center Robin Taccola high for the locals’ second try, transformed by Jules Le Bail (17-19, 39th).

Fortunately for Vannes, the save on his line from Gwenaël Duplenne two minutes after the siren – when pillar Pierre Schoeman thought he had flattened – will seal the fate of this first half. Edinburgh returns frustrated, while Vannes can believe in its chance of success.

Vannes takes the lead

The second period will be even more to the advantage of the locals. Dominated in physical effort, the Scots, who lost their third row Ben Muncaster to injury, were mishandled by a valiant team from Vannes. Jules Le Bail, impeccable on the foot (4/4 today), takes another kick, allowing the Bretons to take the advantage for the first time on the scoreboard (20-19, 47th).

But if Edinburgh staggers, like Duhan Van der Merwe limping low, that will not prevent the winger from trying, after a marvelous pass to the foot of Ross Thompson, who came into play a few minutes before (20-26, 62nd).

One step away from the feat

Vannes nevertheless continues to believe in it, and can count on its conquering scrum to continue to make Edinburgh doubt. Tani Vili, who had replaced Francis Saili who was still brilliant, signed an incredible solitary rush of more than 30 meters and resisted three defenders before pushing past Darcy Graham to score Vannes’ third try of the day. The Bretons can regain the lead, but Jean Cotarmanac’h, who had regained the goal after the exit of Jules Le Bail, misses the target (25-26, 67th).

Edinburgh suffers but takes advantage of its experience to win valuable penalties. Ross Thompson adds three additional points, which will close the debates (25-29, 72nd). The RCV’s latest offensives will be well controlled by the Scots, who alone take the lead in group 3 with 11 points. The Vannes residents, who leave with the defensive bonus point (7 points on the clock), will therefore have to play their qualification next Saturday on the pitch of the Scarlets, who lost heavily to Gloucester 31-7 the day before. With the obligation to win to have the right to extend this formidable European adventure.