The aftermath of the evening is most often difficult.
However, you leave immediately, with the firm intention of finishing better than the day before.
But in the end, the second hangover will get the better of you.
This is what happened for the Union Bordeaux-Bègles.
Dry at home against Stade Rochelais (6-36), the Girondin club chained a second loss even more difficult to digest against Racing 92 at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium (31-28).
To discover
Schedule and Top 14 results
Ranking Top 14
Virtually ejected from the top six at the end of the last day (7th), Clément Maynadier's teammates no longer have a choice.
And receive the LOU on Sunday (9:05 p.m.), another contender in the Brennus race.
“
There are four games left.
We're going to have to start the sprint earlier than some
” had also declared the hooker at the end of the meeting against the Racingmen.
Two setbacks that hurt
Union Bordeaux-Bègles first experienced a difficult start to the season.
Until the electroshock and the departure of Christophe Urios in December 2022. Frédéric Charrier and Julien Laïrle then took over the controls.
However, the effect expected by the Bordeaux management was long overdue.
After a complicated month of January and early February – four defeats, two in the Champions Cup against the Sharks and Gloucester and two in the Top 14 against Castres and Stade Français – Maxime Lucu's teammates have returned to success.
Maxime Lucu and his family have their backs against the wall.
LAURENT SANSON / PANORAMIC
First against Clermont during the reunion between UBB and Christophe Urios (18-9), then two cards against the poorly ranked Perpignan (43-7) and Brive (7-28).
Successes which allowed the Bordelais to return to 3rd place in the standings and which led to believe that the machine was finally launched.
But against Stade Rochelais, in the maritime derby at the Matmut Atlantique stadium, the UBB was crushed (6-36) while its main competitors in qualification – Toulon, Racing 92 or Montpellier – won.
Last Saturday, a reaction was then expected against the Ciel et Blanc du Racing.
Dominators, the Bordelais seemed in possession of this match after the penalty scored by Maxime Lucu one minute from time (four points ahead).
But after a fault whistled in a ruck, the UBB suffered the onslaught of the Parisians and finally conceded a cruel try which ejected them from the top six.
“
It was difficult after La Rochelle (6-36), there, it will be even more so
” reacted the international scrum half after the meeting.
Before Frédéric Charrier adds: “
We said that this match was not eliminatory, that it was not an 8th final.
There are still four games left.
Obviously, this one was important and the result will count.
We'll have to get back to work on Monday.
For a day or two, we will have our heads at the bottom of the bucket, but we will have to raise them to get back into the fight
”.
Only one being is missing...
In the spring, the results were there for the Bordeaux people.
The content was a little more sluggish, of course.
The young Depoortere or Bielle-Biarrey were finally the surprise detonators of the three-quarter line.
But one man is sorely lacking at the UBB and at the worst of times: Matthieu Jalibert.
Injured in the left ankle before facing England during the Six Nations Tournament, the French international should only make his return against Pau on May 13.
Matthieu Jalibert should still be absent for a while.
marc de tienda
Can we then speak of “
Jalibert-dependency
”?
Well no, not that much.
Of his 11 matches played this season in the Top 14, the Bordeaux opener has suffered defeat five times for a draw and five wins.
On the other hand, his absence in the game is devilishly felt.
His replacement Zack Holmes does not weigh enough on the lines of opposing defenses.
His kicking game is hardly convincing.
A complicated schedule
The UBB understood this well.
If she wants to hang a hope of participating in the breathtaking final stages, she will not have the right to make mistakes.
And it starts on Sunday, facing the LOU.
6th in the standings, the Rhodaniens disrupted Stade Toulousain last weekend and brought back a precious defensive bonus point.
Proof of the importance of this meeting, the match will be played on Sunday evening… During the 25th and penultimate day of the championship, the Bordeaux team will receive the Section Paloise after a perilous trip the day before to Toulouse.
And will travel one last time to Toulon, the team in form at the moment.
Storm warning in Gironde...