After the precious success of Perpignan against Stade Toulousain (30-27), discover what caught the attention of the sports editorial staff of Figaro.
TOPS
The Catalan entrants turned everything around
Manager Laurent Labit did well during USAP’s victory against reigning champion Toulouse (30-27). Upon returning from the locker room, four changes were made. Yato, Ruiz and Oviedo came on to turn the tide of the match – the Catalans were then trailing 11-21 after a delicate first act. And they held their place. The three Perpignan forwards all scored a try in the second half to offer a decisive success to their club, which has been in great difficulty since the start of the season. Ruiz in the 44th minute, then Yato and Oviedo (70th and 75th) on a last ball carried to explode Aimé-Giral. Perpignan achieves a fifth consecutive success at home against Stade Toulousain. And confirms its current form.
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Velarte showed the way
What a first period for the Catalan third row, who played a second consecutive match after his comeback against Toulon. In his garden in Aimé-Giral, Lucas Velarte has multiplied on the ground. First in the ground game – four balls scratched (match record!) – but also in the defensive sector, with 13 tackles (also the match record), to relieve his teammates on several occasions. After forty minutes of very good quality, the French flanker nevertheless gave up his place at the break.
Graou still in good shape
If Stade Toulousain finally folded at the end of a thrilling end to the match, the Rouge et Noir scrum half once again struggled, reflecting his very solid start to the season. Always on the right track, Paul Graou continued to take initiatives and constantly put his teammates ahead. The statistics confirm it: 64 passes, 3 crossings, 4 defenders beaten and above all 103 meters gained with the ball in hand. In the first half, it was he who offered the try to Kalvin Gourgues – just as sparkling – on a plate, with a perfect attitude.
FLOPS
An irregular Toulouse
The Rouge et Noir were active for twenty minutes on Aimé-Giral’s side. Between 20th and 40th. Manhandled during a quarter of an hour of play by the unleashed Catalans, Ugo Mola’s men then woke up to score three tries. Before dying out once again in the second act, not really helped by newcomers with little impact, like Alexandre Roumat. We will have to remember the good performances of the young Haut-Garonnais – Kalvin Gourgues at the opening, Thomas Alary at the back and especially the left pillar Benjamin Bertrand – and the defensive bonus point gleaned with a reshuffled team.
Aldegheri in great difficulty
Unlike young Benjamin Bertrand, the Toulouse right pillar had no impact on his team’s play. Never in the rhythm and not very decisive in closed scrums, the French international experienced a very delicate encounter, ending with the trifle of two races and four meters gained with the ball in hand. He gave up his place in the 49th minute for the benefit of Colombe.
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Paul Costes too tender
If the young Toulouse center gave a lot in this meeting (14 races, match record), he certainly gave too much. Often author of risky passes which did not succeed, the Toulouse player was intercepted in the 74th minute by Duguivalu, after a disagreement with Kalvin Gourgues. A risk taken a little too easily, when the moment called for more accuracy and pragmatism. In the next minute, the Catalans scored the winning try.
