Did the Racingmen leave too much energy in the outpouring of emotions that followed the announcement of Virimi Vakatawa’s forced retirement due to heart disease earlier this week? Or are they just out of it? Still, they suffered the very confused Bayonnais law this Saturday afternoon at the Jean-Dauger stadium (31-25). A setback for the promoted who made a stain after the inaugural success against Castres (25-19).
What you must remember
After a hesitant start, the Ile-de-France residents took advantage of the Basques’ numerous errors to take control. Approximate and confused at first, the Ciel et Blancs, in their colorful jersey with a dominant dark blue color and dotted with orange touches forming a set of the worst effect, conceded a try from Bayonne hooker Facundo Bosch on a failed recovery from young full-back Max Spring (6th). The 13,500 spectators at the Jean-Dauger stadium are then quickly showered despite the scorching sun reigning over the South-West. After two penalties from Nolann Le Garrec (10th, 14th), winger Enzo Bengemal, barely eighteen, gets his legs talking by recovering a lost ball in his twenty-two meters and crossing the whole field (34th) . In the process, the Scottish international opener Finn Russell concludes a breakthrough from his scrum half Nolann Le Garrec in the twenty-two meters Bayonne (40th).
Racing is ten points ahead at the break (18-8) and its technical superiority seems to promise it to a solo rider. But inexplicably, Laurent Travers’ players came out of the locker room numb and became passive as soon as play resumed. They were quickly penalized by two tries in just three minutes. It was first the second line Thomas Ceyte who flattened in force (54th). It is then Camille Lopez who, with a kick pass, finds his winger Teiva Jacquelain (57th). Bayonne passes in front (22-18) and imposes the power of its pack. Gaëtan Germain adds three penalties at the end of the match that has become one-sided (63rd, 77th, 79th), barely disturbed by Antoine Gibert’s try at the last minute.
The player: Enzo Bengemal (Racing 92)
At eighteen, the young winger out of the training center still made the thunder speak. After unblocking the situation against Castres (25-19) the previous week at Paris La Défense Arena, this time he achieved a personal feat. Recovering a ball dropped by the Bayonnais in his twenty-two meters, he overwhelmed everyone by spinning on the left wing (54th). No one saw him again.
The number : 80
It took until the last minute to see Racing 92 score points in the second half. And again, the pass between the back Max Spring and the opener Antoine Gibert, author of the test, seems forward. Racing was listless after the break, conceding 23 points.