Tops / flops Racing-Toulon: decisive Carbonel, stop for the Sky and White

Tops

Toulon finally succeeds away

Little in verve this season away with only one success and 6 points taken in 6 matches, Toulon has finally managed to inflate its statistics out of its bases.

At the Arena, the Toulonnais have shown generosity, involvement but above all cohesion.

United as one man, the Red and Black - dressed only in black this Sunday - the Toulonnais had a full match, both disciplined and conquering.

Under the threat of an exit from the Top 6 after the draw between Bordeaux and Clermont (16-16), the RCT offered the scalp of one of the serious contenders for Brennus at the end of the season.

The reliability of Carbonel

The matches follow and resemble each other for Louis Carbonel.

Often brilliant in the game, he already has the makings of a leader.

In the duel of numbers 10 against Finn Russell, the French international largely won the battle.

Decisive on the second Toulon test, a clever interior delivery for Etzebeth who sent Serin to the test (17th), he also shone against the poles, scoring 19 points and a nice 7/9.

We will also note the big performance of Gabin Villière, very involved both in front and behind.

Evidenced by his saving gesture in front of Vakatawa (20th, see below), but also a winning contest after the break (50th).

Tried a lot - and succeeded - offensively.

A beautiful duel

Announced as one of the most beautiful posters of the season, this Racing-Toulon will have met all expectations.

Because the whole range of rugby was illustrated during this meeting, first in the first half with (beautiful) play, movement and two enterprising teams.

Then in the second half, with a more padlocked game, more tactical but no less interesting or attractive.

And at the little game of the coaches, it was Patrice Collazo who won his bet in Nanterre.

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- Tops / flops Racing-Toulon: Carbonel decisive, stop for the Sky and White

Flops

Stop for Racing

Two months that the Ciel et Blanc had not known the taste of defeat.

The fine series of six consecutive victories in all competitions ended against a Toulon, more applied, more aggressive… but above all more disciplined.

Penalized three times in the first act, Teddy Iribaren's teammates were penalized three times more in the second period (9 penalties).

An indiscipline that will have allowed Toulon to regain the lead and keep it until the end.

And, this time, no late turnaround.

Beaten without a bonus, the Racingmen miss the opportunity to take their place in the Top 2 and remain third in the standings (41pts).

Vakatawa's miss

It is undoubtedly one of the only black spots of the good performance of Virimi Vakatawa.

In a great evening, the Ile-de-France center was illustrated by its sharp races and its breakthroughs in the opposing defense.

But it also came to light by missing a ready-made try.

In the end after a nice movement of Racing, the former "septist" went up to the posts, caught his breath, leaned down to flatten ... Until the saving intervention of Gabin Villière, who came to take away the hand leather (20th).

Forward and melee introduction Toulon decreed by Mr. Castaignède, helped by the video.

Points that are lacking in Ciel et Blanc at the final whistle.

Oops.

Taofifenua invisible

Muzzled.

This is certainly the word that best describes the match of the nugget Donovan Taofifenua, transparent Sunday evening on the lawn of the Paris-La Défense Arena.

Too little served on his wing, the player called up by Fabien Galthié to play the next Six Nations Tournament did not have a single good ball to eat.

A rare fact lately for the former Clermont, real animator of the offensive sector of Racing 92.

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