Faced with a reshuffled workforce of the Stade Français, the LOU qualified for the quarter-finals of the Challenge, Saturday at Jean-Bouin (24-41). The defending champions made the difference in the second half and join Toulon for a place in the semis. This poster will be the same as the final last season, won by the Lyonnais.
The Stade Français was however well back in the game and multiplied the assaults in the Lyon camp. After 20 minutes of play, Stéphane Ahmed left to score the first try of the match in a corner, but Tavite Veredamu took it back just before with a high tackle. The three-quarter French wing was sanctioned with a yellow card and his team with a penalty try.
Lyon in reaction
But at 14, LOU remained strong despite Niniashvili being denied a try because of a forward pass from Sopoaga. The opening half therefore took things in hand, or rather on foot, to bring his team back to one point at the break (10-9). Returning from the locker room, Gonzalo Quesada’s men got some fresh air thanks to Théo Dachary’s corner strike and two penalties (21-9), but Lyon had resources.
A one-sided ending
After four changes on the Rhone side, the LOU players unfolded by stopping making mistakes. A penalty try in the 50th restarted them then seven minutes later, Baptiste Couilloud restored the advantage to the visitors following a superb fake pass. In the last two minutes, Guillaume Marchand in force, and Ethan Dumortier on the counter, secured the victory for LOU (24-41).
Stade Français went on to a second straight defeat at home and left the competition as Lyon took on Toulon, winners of the Cheetahs earlier on Saturday. This poster will be held on April 7, 8 or 9.