SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the French Top 14, Celtic Pro12 and Anglo-Welsh Cup matches played this weekend.
Toulon’s image has suffered on and off the field in recent weeks, courtesy of defeats to lower-ranked clubs and the cocaine-busting saga surrounding James O’Connor. They desperately needed a victory, not only to lift the mood, but to stay in the hunt for a play-off spot as the season heads to a close.
On Saturday they welcomed Bayonne to the Stade Felix Mayol, but the visitors might as well not have showed up at all. Toulon were at their ruthless best as they ran in 12 tries to record an 82-14 win.
Bryan Habana and Juan Smith rolled back the years with superb individual performances for the winners and both Boks were rewarded for their excellent play with two tries apiece.
In other results, Racing’s downward spiral continued as they slumped to a 38-15 defeat at home against log-leaders La Rochelle, Brive boosted their credentials as giant-killers with a 21-19 win over Toulouse, Bordeaux hammered Grenoble 46-14, Lyon edged Stade Français 35-33 in an ill-disciplined contest that produced two red and two yellow cards, and Pau out-kicked Castres six penalties to four to secure an 18-12 win.
Meanwhile in the only Pro12 match this weekend, Ulster lashed Zebre 68-12 in their rescheduled fixture at the Kingspan Stadium. The two sides were supposed to meet back in round nine on 25 November last year, but the game was postponed after the surface was deemed unplayable due to snow on the pitch.
On Saturday the hosts put on an exhibition to move into the top four in the standings, with scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar contributing 17 points via a try and six conversions.
Elsewhere, the Leicester Tigers advanced to the final of the Anglo-Welsh Cup after they beat hosts Saracens 32-10. The result will be particularly pleasing for the Tigers, who are the first team to inflict defeat on Saracens at Allianz Park in over a year.
The Exeter Chiefs also booked their place in the final with a comfortable 24-7 semi-final win against Harlequins at Sandy Park.
Photo: L'Equipe
