On paper, the opportunity seemed ideal: to get a little closer to the final stages, and avoid too much gambling before the last three days of Top 14, Racing 92 had the luxury on Saturday of hosting the last of the Championship.
Sixth at kick-off, the Ile-de-France, qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup (to play against the Sale Sharks), had ample weapons to get rid of Biarritz at Paris La Défense Arena.
First abused by the Biarrots, they were able to gain momentum to finally crush the red lantern (40-7).
Powerless in “Racing time”
Throughout the first period, Laurent Travers had the head of the bad days at the edge of the field, and must not have appreciated the start of his team.
A team accustomed to relaxation after good performances, what are these three successes in three derbies won hands down against the French stadium (one in the Top 14, two in the European Cup).
Racing did not respond for a long time against bleeding and uninhibited Biarrots, they who however have little to hope for in this final sprint.
𝚏𝚒𝚗 𝚍𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚎𝚝 𝚅𝙸𝙲𝚃𝙾𝙸𝚁𝙴!!!!!
🔥
AND THE BONUS!!!
A 2nd mt full of tests for our Ciel & Blanc who have caught up
Come and support the Ciel & Blanc for the qdf in 2 weeks: https://t.co/eGr0d6ArbV
💙🤍 40 - 7 🔴⚪️
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— Racing 92 (@racing92) April 23, 2022
In the first twenty minutes of their matches this season in the Championship, the Sky and Whites could boast of being the most decisive there (16 tries scored), where the soundtrack was the most cautious (16 tries conceded) .
But it was Biarrot Barnabé Couilloud, in the 19th minute, who took advantage of superb work by Tevita Kuridrani to surprise his world in the middle of “Racing time”.
So expensive bonus point
Timidly kept within range by their striker Antoine Gibert, Racing went back to the floor after the break, to inflict a stinging 34-0 on their opponents.
The Bondynois Yoan Tanga scored his 3rd try of the season (45th), the internationals Cedate Gomes Sa (53rd), Donovan Taofifenua (69th) and Teddy Thomas (doubled, 58th and 71st) also flattened.
First moribund, the final result is ultimately much more exciting for a team that had to afford the offensive bonus point.
A small additional point which could be expensive when it comes to doing the accounts at the end of the season.
Fifth, Racing gives itself some air and finally seized the opportunity to get rid of the threat of its pursuers a little more in the race for the final stages.
He has three days left now to widen the gap a little more, the next Saturday April 30 in Pau (5 p.m.).