And three! Bordeaux-Bègles qualified with forceps for their third consecutive Top 14 semi-final after their victory in Lyon (32-25) on Sunday in the play-off. UBB, already present in the last four in 2021 and 2022, will face La Rochelle in a week in San Sebastian. The other half pits Toulouse, first in the regular season, against Racing 92, who defeated Stade Français (33-20) in the play-off.
gala jalibert
The Girondins, carried by a gala Matthieu Jalibert and tries from Mahamadou Diaby (46th) then a double from Madosh Tambwe (66th, 78th), won in Lyon for the third time since 2012 after their successes in 2015 (37- 22) and 2021 (20-15).
Better, dominated in the fight, they managed to reverse the trend against Gones, yet winners of six of their last seven home matches. They also, and above all, resisted chronic indiscipline, like the yellow cards of the third line Tom Willis (60th), caught in a scuffle with Félix Lambey, also sanctioned, then of the pillar Lekso Kaulashvili (64th) for a high tackle. Despite everything, they owed their salvation to two races of their racing car Tambwe, which crossed the field to crucify the Lou.
Game in hand
Xavier Garbajosa’s men seemed to have the game in hand, but they lost the thread, especially in the second half. Quite a paradox for a team known for finishing its matches strong. But the standoff was won by the UBB, impressive solidarity and much more realistic than its opponents. This is their first away success in the play-offs. And too bad for the Lyon trials, registered by the trial Ethan Dumortier (9th) then the centers Josua Tuisova (30th) and Josiah Maraku (74th).
This setback of Lou is a summary of a complicated season, marked by handicapping inconstancy and internal quarrels. This time it’s expensive. This trip to the Spanish Basque Country is also an opportunity for UBB to also forget an ups and downs season, marked by the departure of its manager Christophe Urios. No matter, it is Bordeaux-Bègles which can roar with pleasure while waiting to find La Rochelle.