Rennes put up a valiant fight, but ultimately fell to league-leading Albi 43-20 on Thursday, March 28, 2026, in a Nationale rugby match. The result keeps Albi firmly in control of the promotion race as they continue their pursuit of a return to Pro D2. The match, played in Rennes, saw Albi demonstrate a clear dominance, particularly in the second half, securing a bonus point in the process.
Albi’s victory doesn’t just secure another win; it maintains their position atop the Nationale standings, fending off challenges from Nissa Rugby, who also secured a win earlier in the day. The team’s consistent performance throughout the season is a testament to their ambition and a signal of their intent to compete at a higher level.
Early Pressure from Albi
The game began with Albi immediately applying pressure, focusing on establishing control of the territory. Within the first ten minutes, Dos Santos broke the deadlock, scoring the opening try (0-7, 9, 10’). Rennes responded quickly, with Ollion adding three points via a penalty (3-7, 12’), but Albi continued to dictate the pace. Rennes showed offensive intent, creating opportunities in the 23rd and 25th minutes, but were unable to convert them into points.
Albi Extends the Lead
Despite Rennes’ efforts, Albi continued to build their advantage. Dos Santos, making a powerful run, was brought down by the Rennes defense. He skillfully offloaded to Galtier, who then passed to Faintrenie for another try, which was successfully converted (3-14, 30’). Rennes responded with another penalty from Ollion (6-14, 35’), but Albi continued to press. Dos Santos’ precise distribution and strong teamwork led to a try from Coustalat, extending Albi’s lead to 6-19 at halftime.
Second-Half Dominance
The second half saw Albi quickly increase their lead. Horvat capitalized on a turnover to score a try shortly after the restart (6-24, 45’). Rennes, however, refused to yield. Noble attempted a kick, which took a awful bounce, but Horvat was there to capitalize. Despite this setback, Rennes continued to battle, with Vérité making a remarkable run, evading four defenders before being stopped just short of the try line (55’).
Albi quickly countered, with Jarreau scoring a try following an interception (6-38, 61’). Another swift attack saw Faintrenie add his second try of the match (6-43, 66’). Rennes, showing remarkable resilience, finally broke through Albi’s defense with a solo effort from Cavalière (13-43, 70’), and then added another try through the same player (20-43, 77’).
Coach Courties Reflects on the Match
“We played with intensity, but we were too open and gave them points on our errors, which we necessitate to learn from to reach the next level,” said Rennes coach Kévin Courties after the match. His assessment highlights the team’s commitment to improvement despite the defeat.
RENNES EC – ALBI: 20-43 (6-19)
RENNES EC: 2 tries: Cavalière (71’, 77’), 1 conversion: Ollion (71’, 77’), 2 penalties: Ollion.
ALBI: 7 tries: Dos Santos (10’), Faintrenie (30’, 66’), Coustalat (38’), Horvat (45’), Jarreau (58’, 61’), 4 conversions: Dospital (10’, 30’, 61, 66’).
This win for Albi solidifies their position as frontrunners in the Nationale league. Their next crucial match will be a highly anticipated clash against Nissa Rugby, a game that will likely determine the championship’s trajectory. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between the top two teams in the league, with significant implications for promotion to Pro D2.
Fans can follow the latest updates and results on the official Nationale Rugby website and through various sports news outlets. The league continues to provide exciting rugby action as teams battle for a place in the Pro D2.
