After four defeats in a row in the Top 14 and an elimination in the quarter-finals of the European Cup against Bordeaux-Bègles (24-21), Racing 92 finally reacted by sweeping this Saturday (45-19) a Clermont team much too lax in defense.
With this improved success (six tries to one), the Ile-de-France club, back on the podium of the standings, can more calmly consider qualifying for the final phase.
What to remember: Racing planes made the difference
When you play with planes like Teddy Thomas, Juan Imhoff, Virimi Vakatawa or Gaël Fickou, it is a shame to let them rot in their hangar. This is what must have said, finally, the thinking heads of Racing. Result: a festival facing the Clermontois hole defense. And this, from the first minutes. It takes exactly eight at the back Kurtley Beale to find himself under the posts, well served by his winger Teddy Thomas. Rebelote sixty seconds later after an inspiration at the foot of Finn Russell and a beautiful relay from Teddy Thomas. The Australian concludes (14-3, 10th) and the Ciel et Blancs take off, especially as the untenable Thomas offers himself a new victorious raid (21-6, 18th). The Auvergnats, confused as soon as the ball takes off, do not give up.A test in strength from Ravai (22nd) and penalties from Parra consecutive to phases of domination maintain their illusions for a moment even if a tumble from hooker Le Guen (36th) gives the Ile-de-France residents a substantial lead at the break (31-19) .
When they returned from the locker room, the Ciel et Blanc again pierced the yellow elastic band which served as the Clermontois defense.
Fickou in turn marks his first try in his new colors (43rd), knocking out Morgan Parra and his teammates for good.
Donovan Taofifenua, entered in place of Juan Imhoff, allows the score to swell a little more after a slalom in the middle of the Auvergnats (45-19, 67th).
The player: Teddy Thomas (Racing 92)
The winger with 27 selections for the Blues, who still does not know what will be his future next season, had fun on the synthetic turf of Paris La Défense Arena.
He put on the show all by himself.
Too fast, elusive in any case for the Clermontois, he sailed in their defense, splitting their last ramparts with disconcerting ease.
He first offered two tries to his rear Kurtley Beale (8th, 10th), the first after a slalom in the opposing twenty-two meters, the second after a fifty-meter sprint receiving a low kick from Russell.
Then, forgotten on his sideline, he overflows with great strides and scores in the corner (18th).
What, perhaps, to give desires of recruitment to teams of the Top 14, or of extension to his.
The number: 4
Racing 92 put an end to a series of four defeats in Top 14. Defeated in Toulon (25-21), Bayonne (23-13), Toulouse (34-16) then against the Stade Français in Paris La Défense Arena the last week (35-29), the Ile-de-France club began to sink into crisis before this great reaction to Clermont.