Pro D2 – Lessons from the evening: Trigger for Biarritz, Vanes takes the lead
Dismiss Biarritz, Aguilera delivers, BO returns to victory against Valence-Romans, Venez regains its leadership position, Rouen gets its third success of the season against Nevers… Find out the lessons of Day Seventeen from Pro D2.
Briv at the party
Don’t be fooled by appearances (and Final score 38-13), it was not a long, calm river for Brive facing Montauban. However, Pierre-Henri Broncon’s men looked to produce a more convincing performance than in their last outing against Rouen (21-3), but Montalbnais’ ferocity hampered, countered and rattled the locals for long periods. A little fear also invaded Amedy-Domenech when Rokoduguni pierced the Brevist defense after a poor clearance from Carboneau and crucified a Koujou defender with a lightning hook. Poorly positioned and no doubt distraught by his team’s perilous outing from camp.
Aiming for a big away move, Montauban couldn’t stop the talented Tom Raffey from scoring 10 points, including a try after a big move. That was on top of all the indiscipline from PP Lafond’s men which proved too costly with two yellow cards (and a penalty try) just before the break and another yellow toast in the second period. For his part, Brive did not give up his hunt and continued his hard work, helped by the individual talents of Tuivuka, Ferte and other Rafis. Former Toulouse winger Bonneval mystified former Rochelle Sanchez for the break try, Hamel flattened for the bonus and Brive played his game. A final score of 38-13, a humiliating bonus to end this great evening, while Montauban still hasn’t won in 2024. ..
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Pro D2 – Evening results: Angoulême revives, the feat of Dax
Biarritz: loose, delivered!
Fifteenth at kick-off after seven consecutive defeats, Biarritz were in a worrying situation when they got Valens-Romance in Aguilera. Therefore, a mandatory victory for Bayerotts, so as not to sink further in the rankings. Unfortunately for the Basques, we don’t suddenly change our magic wand and at the beginning of the match the difficulties that have been there for several weeks were seen again. Even more so when Fabian Fortasin’s man Hooker was 10-0 up after Pena’s try.
With its back to the wall, Biarritz relies on its fierce desire to move the ball. There was little early success, but second-row Motok finished with a power try (10-10, half-time). Bayerotts continued their momentum in the second period thanks to a double from Motok and a try from Jonas. Finally freed, Simon Mannix’s men loosened up, trying many things with the ball. Bonus thanks to Sovetere and Martin. The New Zealand coach can enjoy his first success (38-13) on the Basque coast, this is a staple and will do a lot of good for BO!
Agen at the end of the suspense
The situation could hardly have been more encouraging for SUA stuck in the Pro D2’s soft underbelly. A difficult season for Agen which quite logically led to strong choices from the staff. Dave Ryan warned : “You have the right to miss the match. I also missed in my career. But you don’t have the right to fight to change it.” In a sign that things weren’t going well at the moment, Ajen led 20-3 at the break before being caught and scared off in the second half when Aurillac decided to start playing. The visitors even took the lead minutes from the end. The last word went to Vincent, who hit the post on a first-time penalty, after Powell was caught by the patrol when he was penalized with a yellow card. This time, the 24-year-old opener didn’t flinch to lead SUA to victory (23-21). Aurillacois tried to recover quickly to give himself one last chance, but Oken opted for a long layoff to end the suspense. Agen provides essentials without reassuring himself.
Rouen revives
The Rouenais have not raised their hands since November 17. Well, at the same time, they’ve only picked them up twice since the start of the season when starting this seventeenth day… they did it a third time. A massive 37-7 defeat against Nevers. And this success was experienced as liberating for the players, given their emotion when celebrating the fourth try, synonymous with victory but also with a humiliating bonus.
In a partially empty Robert-Diocon stadium and despite the snow at the edge of the pitch, Rouenais, in addition to the five precious points, were at their best offensively as well as defensively, as evidenced by these ten minutes in a statistical inferiority where they were not. No points collected. The Nevers are still winless this season. And given coach Xavier Pemeja’s appearance under his hood and with a balaclava to protect himself from the cold, his team’s content may not have pleased him…
Grenoble with two faces
“Grenoble indispensable”, that was our title among the 36E Minutes and 56E. And then we had to rewrite everything. for what Because the Dacois won 27-24 at the Stade des Alpes, quite accomplished! After a close start to the match, FCG trailed 6-3 but, just before the break, Barnabe Massa, after Giorgi Javakhia, cemented Issaire’s dominance three minutes from time. After returning from the locker room, Atu Manu allowed his team to take the attacking bonus, just like during the previous two FCG outings in 2024.
ace, The people of Grenoble have cracked. Landais first attempted an innocuous move, with Isrois’ through ball turning into a lightning counter finished by Theo Gatelier. Then, replacement scrum half, Silvere Reteau scored a double, making it the best and worst for FCG with five minutes to go. If Dax moves past the relegation zone, this setback prevents Grenoble from getting any closer to the top 6…
SAXV wins hands down
On this Friday evening, Soyaux-Angoulême and Colomiers did not want to let go. As the halftime score, 13-13, The match was very close. It was ultimately Angomoisans who won thanks to a try on 76E Minutes of their strong man, Portuguese international Nicolas Martins. And it was better not to lose this meeting because, despite this success, Alexandre Ruiz’s men lost a place in the ranking to the advantage of Biarritz, whose victory against VRDR improved. Another setback in a row for Colmarens, who slipped out of the top 6 after a home defeat to Beziers…
Vanessa finds herself
Last week, in the cold of the Pompidou Stadium in Valence, Venice took a hell of a lot of air conditioning, mostly beaten by VRDR. For 17E It shouldn’t be too hot a day at La Rabine Stadium. But instead of a cold shower, the Bretons warmed the hearts of their ever-numerous supporters A great success 31-15. In a few sequences, Jean-Noel Spitzer’s men recalled why they went unbeaten in Pro D2 during nine matches earlier in the season. Because fourth at kick-off this welcome from a great Mont-de-Marson team was one hell of a test for a team lacking in confidence. In addition to satisfactory content, especially compared to recent weeks, Bretono showed pride. Twice Montois took away offensive bonus points. Twice, four minutes later, Vance’s players scored another try Five points to secure. Vanes regained his lost leadership position for 24 hours.