Racing 92 - Montpellier, it could be, on paper, a clash at the top between the reigning French champion traveling to a pretender to his succession.
In fact, it could also be a meeting of the soft underbelly of the Top 14 between two teams in full doubt, between Ciel et Blanc 11th and Héraultais 8th at kick-off.
And it was rather the second poster that the spectators of Paris La Défense Arena were entitled to.
Inhabited by fear, the two teams observe each other at the start of the match and fail to move the opposing defense.
After two penalties on each side, it was Montpellier who made a first break with the judicious intervention in the line of the back in international form Anthony Bouthier, who served his center Thomas Darmon for the test (3-10, 21st ).
Opposite, Racing 92 fishes in the finish, misses its last passes or makes forwards in the zone of truth.
The intentions are there, the implementation not.
Four tries in twelve minutes
Until the last three minutes at the end of the first period which will reassure the players of Laurent Travers.
Montpellier prop Chauvac takes a caution, Kamikamica scores strongly after a throw-in, and Saili finally controls a pass from Russell to go on try.
The match returned to the break (20-10).
Reinvigorated, President Lorenzetti's men return from the locker room at the same pace... with the same result: Finn Russell is in charge, and, after two well-executed movements, wingers Taofifenua and Imhoff conclude (32-10, 49th).
In twelve minutes before and after a half-time animated by the new star of French basketball Victor Wembanyama, Racing has just planted 4 tries.
Victor Wembanyama, the future 1st pick (very likely - understatement - of the #NBA 2023 draft) is at @ParisLaDefArena for @racing92 / @MHR_officiel 😍🏀 Peaking
at 2m20, @vicw_32, you wouldn't try to be 2nd row also since you can/know how to do everything?
😁😂#R92MHR pic.twitter.com/QfZprL10T3
- CANAL + Rugby (@CanalplusRugby) October 22, 2022
Surprised on the next kick-off by a try from Ben Lam, the Ciel et Blancs however lost the offensive bonus.
And even put themselves in danger a few minutes later when Darmon, again him, then Mercer crossed the line (35-31, 71st).
The end of the game is tense.
The Montpellier substitutes Paenga-Amosa or Coly make Racing suffer, which can no longer get their hands on the ball.
It will take a last masterful kick from Finn Russell, very good this Saturday, to breathe a Racing which is relaunching in this Top 14, in the best of ways, against the champions of France.
MATCH SHEET
Racing-Montpellier 38-31
(Halftime 20-10)
Racing 92.
4 tries (Kamikamica 37th, Saili 40th + 1; Taofifenua 45th, Imhoff 49th).
2 conversions (Russell 38th, 40th + 1, 46th).
4 penalties (Russell 18th, 32nd, 67th, 79th).
Montpelier.
4 tries (Darmon 20th, 63rd, Lam 50th, Mercer 71st).
2 conversions (Carbonel 21st, 51st, 64th, 71st).
1 penalty (Carbonel 15th).
1 yellow card (Chauvac 36th).