Faced with the penultimate team of the Top 14, Racing 92 seized the opportunity to revive. The Racingmen remained on a defeat against another poorly ranked, Pau, twelfth, on February 4 (38-19). This time, the Ile-de-France residents were ruthless to plunge CA Brive to the bottom of the standings, winning 34 to 24. Fifth before the kick-off of this 18th day, Laurent Travers’ men retained their seat.
Despite the reality of the classification, the victory only took shape in the second period. The scenario, a real crossover, could have worried Parisians weakened by a series of 6 defeats during their last 9 outings in all competitions. However, the twirling Max Springs came out of his box in the 58th minute to put the lid on Racing’s success. Nolann Le Garrec was responsible for transforming this last test.
The Racing halfbacks had also sharpened their crampons for the reception of the Coujoux. Antoine Gibert attempted and succeeded in two penalties in the first period (5th, 32nd). The first two tries in the Ile-de-France, scored by Louis Dupichot (16th) and Kitione Kamikamica (25th), followed judicious kicks from Nolann Le Garrec and Gibert.
“The content was average in defense”
Number 9 and 10 were responsible for converting one try each. But, despite their vista and the yellow card of Brive Setareki Bituniyata, Racing 92 only led by three points at the break (20-17). Blame it on an inspired Nicolas Sanchez, precise against the poles and author of the second Corrèze test (36th). Under the roof of Paris La Défense Arena, he did not cool down in the second half. The opening half pierced the Ile-de-France line again after returning from the locker room before serving Lucas Paulos, who concluded between the posts (42nd). The test was transformed by Sanchez (20-24), the Racingmen are still led.
The two teams continued to exchange cat and mouse costumes until the 50th minute and the test of Wenceslas Lauret, transformed by Gibert (27-24), before the final test of Springs. The Racingmen avoided a stressful end to the match, they who are used to money-time with twists and turns. On the other hand, the sky and white defense did not reassure.
“The content was average, especially in defense where you take points too easily, it’s a bit frustrating, launched Henry Chavancy, the captain of the winners of the day, to Canal +. This great team from Brive gave us a lot of problems. We will be satisfied with the victory, it was important after our non-match in Pau. »
The Racingmen have a week to plug the holes in this sector before their meeting in Lyon. “We work hard, we want to progress in this area. We are on a negative dynamic in this sector but the dynamics are made to be reversed, ”assured Chavancy.