TOPS/FLOPS – Find the Tops and Flops of Montpellier’s victory over Racing 92 (17-12) at the end of the 15th day of the Top 14.
FLOPS
The MHR finishes well, and slips into the Top 6
The show of force of the UBB last week visibly marked the Cistes: led 14-10, they had conceded a terrible 27-0. The possibility of reliving such a scenario was also mentioned by Alexandre Bécognée: “It’s up to us to silence our detractors!“Advanced the third line at the break at the microphone of Canal +. Promise kept, since they dominated the second act, materialized by Bouthier’s try (60e). And this, even if their defense has been pierced several times. Without consequences. Here they are now 5th, back in the Top 6.
A suspense until the end
What a Hitchcockian end to the game! If the meeting, of a correct level, will not remain in the annals of the Top 14, its end to the match caused a roller coaster of emotions for the supporters of both camps. The siren has just sounded, the MHR leads 17-12 and has a scrum in the opposing camp. Going for a third down would guarantee them the offensive bonus. So when Iribaren recovers the ball after a messy conquest (80 + 3e), Russell initiates a raise but gets locked out, then penalized. The MHR tries a penalty and is quickly penalized (80 + 4e). Russell clears his camp, then in stride obtains a new penalty a few seconds later with victory in sight (80 + 5e). The Ile-de-France residents are progressing well, before the young hooker Tarrit makes a mistake on the side and is penalized on the ground (80 + 6e). The GGL Stadium can finally breathe, and the sky and white supporters ruminate on this ultimate opportunity.
Alexandre Bécognée omnipresent
He is the player who has been on the rise for over a year. Major man of the conquest of Brennus last season, Alexandre Bécognée was again precious for his people this Sunday evening through his activity and his physical dimension. His charge led to Willemse’s first try (25th). He looks like a serious candidate to play spoilsport during the 6 Nations Tournament.
The Racing defense will not have been enough
In difficulty defensively since the start of the season, Racing 92 advanced with the desire to confirm its good form outside, with victories in Toulon (14-31) or Castres (26-26). However, with 28.4 points conceded per away game, the focus was on the defensive aspect this week and this was confirmed on Sunday evening. Disciplined in his own camp, Henry Chavancy’s teammates conceded only 17 points. And won a valuable defensive bonus, three points in two away games.
FLOPS
The inconstancy of Racing 92
With a closed face, Laurent Travers was quite frustrated by the scenario of this closing shock on the 15e daytime. After a series of five wins in a row, here are the Ile-de-France residents on a series of five games without a win in all competitions. Everything is obviously not to be thrown away: the draw in Castres last week or the performance displayed on Sunday evening have nothing to do with the humiliation against Stade Français, in their Defense Arena (10-48).
Tarrit’s mistake
Difficult to point the finger at the young hooker Janick Tarrit (24 years old), who has just come from Pro D2. Effective replacement of the disappointing Camille Chat, the former Neversois came close to the correctional on a fuss (see below) on an action by his team which could have led to a test. Above all, he lacked lucidity when his team was close to making the perfect shot after regulation time (80 + 6th). The hooker decided to charge from the left of a ruck while all of his teammates were on the other side. Long awaited by several defenders, Tarrit was logically penalized on the ground, thus sealing the defeat of his team.