The Top 14 is finally back.
Surprises, games and suspense: the national elite did not take long to make rugby lovers salivate, in need for six months.
It is Racing 92 which signed the biggest performance by winning in Lyon.
SHOCK
Clermont scares himself 15 against 13
In the poster for this opening of Top 14, the Clermontois finally had the last word (33-30).
Thanks to an efficient Camille Lopez, the Auvergnats took cover quickly (23-5).
The Stadistes believed to achieve the unthinkable by taking the controls (26-30, 68th).
But the two expulsions of Joe Tekori (34th) and Richard Arnold (50th) ultimately cost them the victory.
THE PERF
Racing 92 takes a bite out of LOU
The duel promised to be tight between Lyon and Racing 92, second and third last season.
Led at the break (16-13), Racing scored two tries in ten minutes (Louis Dupichot, Finn Russell).
The Rhone remained on a series of fourteen consecutive victories in its stadium, its last defeat dating on March 2, 2019 against Castres (25-13).
THE SURPRISE
Pau turns off Montpellier
Between Montpellier and its internationals and Pau in the fight for maintenance last season, the balance tilted towards the MHR, whose last home defeat dated February 16, 2019 against Perpignan (28-10).
Distanced (23-10), the Pau turned the tide thanks to a solid scrum and his young twirling and creative opener Antoine Hastoy (23-26).
TOP 14 - The image of D1: The stunning return of the Palois
From the first day this season promises to be as stunning as the scrum of the @SectionPaloise which provoked a penalty try in the last seconds during the victory against the @MHR_officiel!
đČđđ„ pic.twitter.com/ksCzi4kzM5
- TOP 14 Rugby (@ top14rugby) September 5, 2020
THE PLAYER
Ihaia West sets course for La Rochelle
With 24 points, the New Zealand opener from La Rochelle was the main architect of his team's victory in front of Toulon (29-15).
He managed five penalties, two conversions and even signed an opportunistic try.
THE STATEMENT
âI probably missed something during the week.
Maybe I was not clear enough⊠âFrom Toulon coach Patrice Collazo after the defeat at La Rochelle, his former club.
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THE NUMBER
10,000:
the number of spectators for Clermont-Toulouse, re-edition of the 2019 final won by the red and black.
The ASM obtained a prefectural exemption to double the authorized tonnage.
DAY 1
Friday
Montpellier - Pau: 23-26
Stade Français - Bordeaux-BÚgles: postponed
Saturday
La Rochelle - Toulon: 29-15
Agen - Castres: 22-26
LOU - Racing 92: 23-27
Sunday
Brive - Bayonne: 42-23
Clermont - Toulouse: 33-30
