Arnaud Coudry (in Bristol) and David Reyrat
Racing: Zebo and Vakatawa in the spotlight
Despite the narrow defeat (31-27), several Racingmen were successful at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.
Irish full-back
Simon Zebo (8)
was the trigger for the Ile-de-France attack, scoring two tries and setting off several sharp occasions.
Virimi Vakatawa (7.5)
, center, was a constant danger.
Taking intervals, creating lags and regularly mobilizing several defenders.
He won 120m with the ball in hand and scratched several balls.
In the pack,
Bernard Le Roux (6.5)
and
Wenceslas Lauret (6.5)
were at the forefront of the fight, delivering 16 and 18 tackles respectively.
Precious.
Left pillar
Eddy Ben Arous (6)
he struggled in the ground game.
As usual, hooker
Camille Chat (6.5)
was bursting with energy and punch.
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The scrum half
Teddy Iribaren (3)
multiplied from the start the gross faults and approximations.
His manager Laurent Travers said he was hit in the groin on Friday, stumbling during pre-match training.
This explains its very big difficulties.
He was replaced at the break by
Maxime Machenaud (3.5)
who did not shine either.
He spoiled two supernumeraries in the small side that could easily have led to testing.
The biggest disappointment concerns the opener
Finn Russell (3.5)
, who has regularly endangered his team by risky choices.
An intercepted pass and a blocked kick that cost two tries.
The Scotsman, who likes to take risks, was expensive and has no control over the final.
Zebo: 8
Dupichot: 5
Vakatawa: 7
Chavancy: 6
Imhoff: 5.5
Russell: 3.5
Iribaren: 3
Machenaud: 3.5
Claassen: 5
Sanconnie: 5.5
Lauret: 6.5
Bird: 6
Le Roux: 6 , 5
Dove: 5
Cat: 6
Ben Arous: 6
Exeter: Sam Simmonds in the spotlight
Top scorer of this edition of the Champion Cup (9 tries), Exeter third center line Sam Simmonds (8) has constantly played in the advance, gaining precious meters on each impact, each charge.
Signed up his team's second try.
Also 10 tackles to his credit.
Logically, he was voted best European player of 2020 after the victory.
Second row Jonny Hill (7.5) was formidable in defense (16 tackles) and in hot spots.
Author of the first try, the international hooker Luke Cowen-Dickie (7.5) has multiplied the balloon charges in hand.
Big activity.
In addition to being solid in melee, the pillar Harry Williams (7) also scored a try and was invaluable in the rucks.
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Among the other satisfactions on the side of the Chiefs, we note the solid performance of scrum half Jack Maunder (6.5).
Exeter's two wingers, Jack Nowell (6.5) and Tom O'Flaherty (6) also shone in Bristol.
The big disappointment comes from back Stuart Hogg.
The Scotsman did not have his usual showdown.
Few or no raises, only 17m gained in 3 races.
Very very far from its standings.
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The spectacular Exeter-Racing final on video