Baptiste Serin was the strong man of the evening for the RCT, and the 46-10 victory in Saint-Sébastien against Bayonne.
TOPS
Toulon, more Serin with Baptiste
Back during the great success against Montpellier last weekend (54-7), Baptiste Serin has had the hoped-for impact since he returned, and he showed it again this Sunday evening at Anoeta in the victory at the Pays Spanish Basque (46-10). Without him, Toulon only won 3 times in 12 games, with him things seem easier. Skillful with both his hands and his feet, it was he who guided his teammates to the path to victory. Vital in the game of the red and black, the international scrum half sublimated his performance when he countered the ball and went to flatten the Varois’ third try. The experienced number 9 embodied the Toulon recital well.
A victory that means a lot for the RCT
This success in San Sebastián is a real turning point in RC Toulon’s season. First on the accounting point. Thanks to their 4 tries scored by 4 different players (Paia’aua, Alainu’uese, Serin, Faiga’anuku), they obtained an offensive bonus and 5 points which allowed them to move up to fourth place tied with the Stade Rochelais (51 pts). Already authors of 54 units against Montpellier last week, that makes 100 points in two matches for the Varois. Full box. All while maintaining a solid and impervious defense throughout the entire second half. Even better, this triumph in Spain is a real feat, since it has been almost 10 years since they last won on the road “in Bayonne”. It was the perfect evening for Pierre Mignoni’s men.
FLOPS
Bayonne has completely taken on water
“We didn’t exist. It’s not a feeling, it’s reality.” whispered Lopez at the end of the meeting. It’s hard to disagree with the Bayonne fly-half. To begin with, Rowing did not touch the ball during the first 10 minutes of the match, during which Toulon had already taken the lead with two penalties from Jaminet. Among the four tries conceded, two came from an interception (Paia’aua) or a counter (Serin), symbol of a team which wanted much more than them. But above all, after their first attempt, the revolt did not last. It’s simple, they no longer scored a single point from the 25th minute of play. A very sad result for a team that could get closer to the top 6. Ultimately, it’s the opposite effect, they get closer from the red zone. An evening to erase memories.
The cursed relocations in Anoeta
At kick-off, only Bayonne and Toulouse were still undefeated at home this season in the Top14. On arrival, there is only one left. On a series of 28 matches in a row without defeat at Jean-Dauger, Aviron Bayonnais has decided to move to the other side of the border for this 20th day. They decided to relocate this clash to Anoeta – home of the Real Sociedad football club – in San Sebastián, where the Top 14 semi-finals took place last year. A scenario reminiscent of last year , where they had already migrated to the Spanish Basque Country and lost their unbeaten home run after losing to Pau 20-30. This Sunday evening again, the pressure of a 40,000-seat stadium was too great, and the Blue and Whites liquefied. Result 46-10, and a non-match on the part of the Basques. Anoeta is not a lucky charm.
