In an atmosphere that resembled those of the era of anti-Covid gauges, where only a bass drum managed to pierce an almost awkward silence, Racing quietly fulfilled its contract. Facing a Toulon team with naivety and confounding clumsiness, the Ile-de-France won (43-7) this Saturday evening in Le Havre their qualification for the final phase.
One day from the end, the Ciel et Blanc are even well on their way to playing their play-off at home (weekend of June 3 and 4). Their success mathematically leads to the qualification of Stade Français, who will seek to ensure, this Sunday evening against Lyon (21:5), a play-off at home.
For the rest, this ride on a calm sea took the contours of a friendly training with opposition. Far from the poster at the top of the table envisaged. Far from the intensity of a Racing-Toulon decisive for qualification two days before the end of the regular phase. The Varois had many other things in mind. Renouncing any ambition for the rest of the championship while everything was still possible, the men of the Mignoni-Azéma tandem, a band of youngsters surrounding some old grognards, Bastareaud, Paillaugue, Lakafia or West, responded to other injunctions. It was necessary to field players from the French training (JIFF) in order to catch up with an average throughout the season lower than that requested by the National League, under penalty of being punished by fewer points in the next exercise. It was also said that the final of the European Challenge, Friday, May 19 in Dublin against the Glasgow Warriors, was the priority of the moment. We have known Toulonnais much more proud to show off their colors.
A play-off at Paris La Défense Arena?
So there was no poster, and finally, playing this clash in toc in secret in Le Havre at a time (21:5 p.m.) set by a broadcaster who probably hoped for something else put it back in its true place: in the shadow of a Paris La Défense Arena too big for him, and reserved for the occasion to Bruce Springsteen.
The Oceane stadium, which can accommodate 25,000 spectators, struggled to attract 7,000 on Saturday night. What will they have learned? The two-part festival of Racing, entered like butter in a Toulon defense full of holes, with two tries (Chouzenoux, 4th and Kamikamica, 8th) sealing the fate of the match in less than ten minutes? The Sky and White, no doubt intoxicated by so much ease, then thwarted.
Le Garrec, Russell, Fickou, or Imhoff didn't even need to force their talent. They quietly rolled at the end of the game, winning the offensive bonus. Thanks to this result, they should secure a play-off at home after a final game at Clermont, who have nothing left to lose or hope for. A play-off at Paris La Défense Arena for a completely different face of rugby.
Points
Racing 92: 6 tries from Chouzenoux (4th), Kamikamica (8th), Nyakane (38th), Habosi (56th), Imhoff (64th), Gibert (80th), 5 conversions from Russell (4th, 8th, 56th, 80th), Le Garrec (64th), 1 penalty from Russell (47th)
Toulon: 1 try by Paillaugue (27th), 1 transformation by West (27th)
