DECRYPTION – After the success of the Section Paloise over Toulon (32-12), discover what caught the attention of the editorial team Figaro.
TOPS
The revenge of the Section forwards
Crushed last week by the Toulouse leader, the Pau forwards set the record straight this Sunday evening, in front of their home crowd at Le Hameau (on the occasion of the Pau victory against the RCT, 32-12). Initially timid in the first act, the Béarnais, led by a gala Julian Montoya – the Argentinian international with 100 caps – proved their full capacity to dominate a big team in conquest. Their three tries scored on high quality balls carried by Montoya (50th and 57th) and Delhommel (80th) allowed the Section to blow away their opponent of the day. Dominant in collisions and very disciplined in the ground game, Sébastien Piqueronies’ troop gets its head back on track, remains undefeated at home and consolidates its lead over third place, UBB.
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Aaron Grandider-Nkanang impressive
Released by Fabien Galthié and his staff during the week, the Pau winger once again proved his quality in the aerial game, recovering a variety of balls in conditions far from ideal. The Olympic 7s champion was also very active in the running game, crossing once and beating three defenders.
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Combative Gabin Villière
The international winger returned from injury and took part in his second match of the season. He was up to the challenge, in a Var team dominated in all sectors. Hyperactive at the start of the match (a scratch in front of his in-goal to save the RCT), Gabin Villière rewarded himself in the eighth minute of play by scoring the first of the evening, with a solid solo action to clear his defender before diving into the in-goal corner.
FLOPS
Toulon, ten minutes, then nothing more
After an intense start to the match, Pierre Mignoni’s men completely died down. While the RCT wishes to play the leading roles at the end of the season, its inability to achieve complete performances away from home is causing increasing concern. In the second act, Toulon – missing Ollivon, Serin, Gros and Dréan, who remained in Marcoussis to prepare for the start of the Six Nations Tournament – exploded in around ten minutes, conceding three tries, the fault of incredible indiscipline, crushed forwards and an amorphous back line. Melvyn Jaminet’s teammates retain their place in the top 6 this Sunday evening. But they will have no room for error with the reception in Clermont on February 14.
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The indiscipline of the RCT
The Var conceded 16 penalties at Hameau. Far too much to hope to win against the second in the championship. Rolled out in closed scrums and dominated in the ground game, Pierre Mignoni’s troop – who looked like bad days in their technical zone – could only endure the opposing surge in the second act. Daniel Brennan even received a yellow card for repeated fouls a few seconds from the end, resulting in Delhommel’s last try.
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Dany Priso in difficulty
Symbol of the Toulon match, the pillar of the RCT experienced a delicate evening in Béarn. Ghostly in the running game and caught in a closed scrum, the French international Dany Priso was unable to contribute to the Varois during a big hour of play, before giving up his place in favor of Daniel Brennan, far from being more inspired.
