Everything is going well for Racing 92 in the Top 14. The Hauts-de-Seine club continued its fine series of championship victories by dominating Castres Olympiques (45-25), on the occasion of a clash at the top of the table. , on the program for the 19th day, Saturday 26 February. The Ile-de-France residents wash away the affront of the first leg, where they were swept away at Pierre-Fabre (25-3), on December 4.
What you must remember
A week after its superb victory on the lawn of Union Bordeaux-Bègles (16-13), which put an end to the invincibility of the leader at home, Racing 92 had the fangs and it was seen, from the start . After ten minutes of play, the Parisians led 10-0 thanks to a try from Lauret (8th) and the paw of Machenaud. Ten minutes later, a try from Zeghdar allows the Castres to reduce the gap (10-5). But thanks to his scrum half, author of a faultless foot, the Sky and White return to the locker room with 8 points ahead (16-8).
Reduced to 14 after Le Roux’s yellow card, the Racingmen were surprised at the start of the second period, conceding two new tries, by Dumora (42nd, 16-13) then Palis (52nd, 19-18). After shaking, Laurent Travers’ players finally react. Thanks to Vakatawa (54th, 74th), Baubigny (63rd) and Chavancy (80th), they regain the lead never to let go again. On the strength of this big victory (45-25), Racing is undefeated in the Top 14 since January 2 in Lyon (37-35).
The number: 6
Clermont, Toulouse, Brive, Pau, Bordeaux and now Castres. This Saturday, Racing won its sixth straight success in the Top 14. The team had not won six victories in a row since its national title against Toulon in 2016.
The fact of the match: Leroux, a yellow that could have been expensive
Sanctioned with a yellow card just before the break for a high tackle on Aguillon, the third row of Racing 92, Bernard LeRoux, almost cost his team dearly. Absent during the first ten minutes of the second period, the Ile-de-France player missed his teammates a lot, who conceded 13 points and came close to taking on water before recovering.
The image: a call for peace
As the Russian offensive in Ukraine continues, Racing 92 wanted to bring its “deep solidarity with the Ukrainian people”, in a message displayed on the giant screen, before the kick-off of the meeting.