Top 14 – Ratings from Racing 92 – Lyon: Hassane Kolingar in battle, Davit Niniashvili little in sight

The tops

What a match for the plane tree! On Sunday afternoon, the Fijian hit the opposition line with gusto, improving all his balls. If he remains a little clumsy in the air, the Melanesian has little equivalent in the Top 14, in terms of power.

It had therefore been six months since international left pillar Hassane Kolingar had last played rugby. Victim of illness last summer, the child from Val d'Oise has since worked like a titan to return to the level he was at before his injury. Sunday afternoon, his return to competition undeniably did good for Racing 92 as the determination and activity of the colossus in the collective fight allowed the Ile-de-France forwards to dominate the debates.

• Martin Méliande: 5.5/10

The full-back loaned to Lyon by… Racing played a very bad blow against the Ile-de-France residents. The former US Bressane made some good offensive runs, being one of the only Lyonnais to attempt shots. He was not very successful defensively (beaten too easily by Vinaya Habosi on a predictable hook in the second act for example, and author of a 2/6 in tackles). But, what must be remembered is that he perfectly replaced Léo Berdeu in the role of gunner, achieving a 100% against the poles (3/3) and not trembling to allow his team to get back together and scratch a draw.

The flops

Until he was given a yellow card after being the author of a dangerous tackle on Théo William, the great “Tao” had put in a great performance in Lanterre. Alas, his absence of ten minutes prevented his team from breaking Lou at the moment when the opponent of the day seemed to be on one knee…

• Baptiste Couilloud: 4/10

The scrum-half has been among the tops so many times for having carried his team with, in particular, his formidable finishing skills (eight tries again in this exercise). With the synthetic pitch and the walls of La Paris La Défense Arena which protect the players from the four exterior levels, the Lyonnais had everything to showcase his offensive talents within the confines of Nanterre. Alas, Baptiste Couilloud never managed to set the pace for his team. His team had very little ammunition and failed to hold the ball. He was also penalized with a yellow card for a voluntary forward move (25th). Seeing him give up his place so early to Charly Cassang (65th) clearly showed that he did not have his usual influence…

What a disappointment not to see the Georgian use his speed and fire support more in the Ile-de-France room. On his rare ammunition, he failed to create any difference. He also put his team on the back foot with thrown balls. And in defense, he failed to raise his mark (five successful tackles and four missed). Wandered by a corchet from Henry Arundell (11th), he also has to his discredit a climb as suicidal as it is hazardous on Cameron Woki's try (20th). Not always comfortable under high balls either, Lou's third curtain may have been deficient after the changes in the second half. Here too, a disappointment as Lou lacked his offensive talent to make the difference…