Top 14 Roundup: La Rochelle Climbs,Racing 92 Extends Streak,Promoted Sides Struggle
this past weekend saw a shakeup in the Top 14 standings,with La Rochelle making a important leap and Racing 92 continuing their dominant run. Simultaneously occurring, the newly promoted teams faced tough challenges.
La Rochelle, previously sitting in eighth place, secured a crucial away victory against Section Paloise, defeating them 22-16. Tries from Popelin and Liebenberg propelled the Maritimes to their second away win of the season, propelling them temporarily into the top six. This puts them ahead of Toulouse, who will face Bordeaux-Bègles on Sunday evening.
racing 92 continued their impressive form, racking up their sixth consecutive league win with a resounding 45-25 victory over Castres Olympique at Paris La Défense Arena. the Ile-de-France side showcased their attacking prowess, scoring five tries through Lauret, vakatawa (twice), Baubigny, and Chavancy.In contrast, the promoted teams faced a difficult weekend.Perpignan suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Clermont, losing 52-15.Clermont’s seven tries highlighted their offensive strength, earning them a valuable offensive bonus point. Biarritz also struggled, falling to Lyon 34-15. Lyon, like Clermont, secured the offensive bonus point, further emphasizing the gulf in class between the established teams and the newcomers.
Riding the Top 14 Waves: An in-Depth Analysis with Former Coach Philippe Mongardi
This past weekend in the Top 14 was a tale of contrasting fortunes, with some teams soaring high while others stumbled. To break down this interesting round of fixtures, I’m joined by the esteemed former Top 14 coach, Philippe Mongardi. Welcome,Philippe.
Philippe: It’s a pleasure to be here.
Host: Let’s start with La Rochelle’s extraordinary win over Section Paloise. They climbed the standings with this crucial away victory. What were your key takeaways from this match?
Philippe: La Rochelle showed real grit and determination against a tough paloise side.Their win wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.Popelin and Liebenberg’s tries were well-deserved, showcasing La Rochelle’s power in the pack. This win puts them right in the thick of things, just ahead of a risky Toulouse side. This clash with Toulouse will be a real litmus test for La Rochelle’s aspirations this season.
host: Absolutely.Speaking of dominant displays,Racing 92 continues to roll,securing their sixth consecutive league win.five tries against Castres! Their attack seems unstoppable at the moment. What makes them so formidable right now?
Philippe: They are playing with breathtaking confidence and fluidity. Their backs are firing on all cylinders, with Lauret, Vakatawa, Baubigny, and Chavancy all finding their rhythm.But what impresses me most is their adaptability. They can dictate the pace, play expansively, or grind out a win when needed.
Host: Looking at the other end of the spectrum, the newly promoted teams are struggling. Perpignan and Biarritz both suffered heavy defeats. is the gulf in class between the established teams and newcomers simply too vast to overcome?
Philippe: It’s a tough ask for the promoted sides. The Top 14 is a ruthless competition, and the step-up from Pro D2 is significant. Perpignan and Biarritz need to be realistic about their goals and focus on building momentum gradually. Learning from these defeats and tightening up their defense will be crucial for their long-term survival. perhaps they could benefit from bringing in some experienced Top 14 players during the January transfer window.
Host: That’s a thoughtful point, Philippe. What advice would you give to these promoted teams as they navigate this challenging league?
Philippe: Don’t get discouraged. They need to stay positive, believe in their abilities, and focus on their strengths. They can’t try to emulate the big boys right away. Build a solid foundation, play to their strengths, and use the energy of their home crowd to their advantage. It takes time to adapt, but with hard work and a bit of luck, they can find their feet in this league.
Host: Wise words indeed. Philippe, thank you for sharing your insights. It’s been a pleasure having you on the show.
Philippe: My pleasure.
Host: And to our viewers, thank you for tuning in. What are your thoughts on this Top 14 round? Share your opinions and predictions in the comments below. Let’s keep the discussion going!
