2023-12-17 00:01:22
Their inaugural defeat against Harlequins surprised everyone in the aisles of Paris La Défense Arena. A week later, the Ciel et Blancs were expected at the turning point on Irish soil against Ulster who had also missed their entry into the Champions Cup (34-17 defeat against Bath). Too shaky in defense against the Londoners, Stuart Lancaster’s men were again so against the Irish.
The match was set to turn very short when in the 4th minute, 3rd row Nick Timoney opened the scoring for Ulster after a handball penalty. A try during which the Ile-de-France defense was completely pierced brought back memories of Harlequins in our heads. Racing seemed harmless and set to have a bad evening in Ireland, especially as Nolann Le Garrec was denied a try in the 19th minute due to a screen from prop Hassane Kolingar.
Two tests for Le Garrec, only one validated
A few minutes after the video decision, Ulster took the lead thanks to Irish center Stuart McCloskey, again after a handball penalty. 14-0 in the 24th minute of play. But the Racingmen did not give up and managed to offer great things with the ball in hand until Le Garrec’s try in the 30th minute, this time valid: on on the left side, Imhoff receives a wonderful ball at the foot of Gibert then finds the young scrum half who will flatten.
But Racing will not score seven points on this action, Le Garrec completely missing his transformation, the fault of a ball which moves on the cone just before the kick. Not enough to restore total confidence. But buoyed by this try, the Ciel et Blanc returned to the match, before the third Irish try scored by Matty Rae at the end of a sequence of wide play where the Ile-de-France defense once again showed its generosity.
Racing wakes up timidly after the break
Upon returning from the locker room, the spirit of revolt was not immediately felt among the men of Racing, conceding a fourth try after Ulster spent a long time shelling (47th). A third time, a penalty played by hand in front of the goal line allowed the Irish to flatten. On the other side of the field, Racing also made concrete and was rewarded with a second try, this time scored by hooker Janick Tarrit in the 56th minute. Not enough to completely restart, especially since the test is not transformed either.
But as in the first period, this test allowed the French to regain strength and desire. They could even have continued if at the hour mark, a pass at the foot of the poles had not been intercepted by Stockdale. Hope will come from Tarrit, author of a second try in the 66th minute after a carried ball, allowing his team to come back to within thirteen points of the locals. A penalty from Ulster in the 70th minute will dampen the hopes of Racing, determined not to play for anything other than the defensive bonus.
Ulster finally won with the offensive bonus (31-15) against Racing who returned from Ireland without any points in their bag. After two matches, Stuart Lancaster’s men have only two small points and are fifth, behind their evening opponents. On January 14, they travel to Bath and host Cardiff a week later.
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