Racing 92 dominates Castres 34-30 at home and remains at the top of the Top 14

2024-01-07 08:17:16

If we are to believe the signs of History, Stuart Lancaster can continue to dream of the shield of Brennus. Because his Racing 92 will spend the next three weeks (European Cup required) at the top of the Top 14, on the evening of this 12th day, after getting rid of Castres (34-30) this Saturday afternoon in Paris-La Defense Arena in front of 9,819 spectators. The last time this happened, in 2015-2016, Racing 92 finished as French champions after a final played at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

Signs or not, Stuart Lancaster’s team is above all efficient, very efficient. With five new tries scored, it confirms its status as the best attack in the Top 14. The opponents leave the Parisian business district with, on average, 5.5 tries per match. A little less for Castres this Saturday, also due to the indiscipline of the Ile-de-France residents. Wame Naituvi (18th) and Siya Kolisi (25th) could have added two in the bag without prior mistakes from their teammates.

“The best defense is attack”

Indiscipline (12 penalties conceded) is also what allowed Castres to stay in the match for a long time. Opener Louis Le Brun scored 18 points (6/6 penalties), allowing the Tarnais to stick with the locals for a long time and bring back this defensive bonus point. But as throughout the match, the Racing 92 forwards undermined their opponents. Like the tries scored by Vinaya Habosi (45th) and Henry Arundell (53rd), perfectly launched by the “big ones” of Stuart Lancaster off the sidelines or in the scrum.

In the first period, one of them, Camille Chat (14th) benefited from superb collective work from Nolan Le Garrec and Jordan Joseph to score his first try of the season. The scrum obtained a penalty try (26th). As for winger Wame Naituvi, he announced this offensive card by opening the scoring after 1 minute and 12 seconds of play, well served by Henry Arundell, starting at the back this afternoon. “The best defense is attack,” Stuart Lancaster proclaimed at a press conference on Thursday. It’s difficult to prove him wrong after this 8th victory of the season.

Castres Olympique, sixth before this day, however believed in it until the end thanks to tries from Nathanaël Hulleu (57th) and Wayan de Benedettis (78th), bringing the score to 34-30 one minute from time. But the score remained there. Next match in the league? Right here against Stade Toulousain, on January 28 to conclude the first leg. Before that, it’s time for the European Cup. See you in Bath (England), Sunday January 14, and at Paris-La Défense Arena against Cardiff, January 20.