Bordeaux-Begles Triumphs Over La Rochelle in Top 14 Opener

On Saturday, Bordeaux-Begles commenced their Top 14 season with a narrow 23-18 victory against La Rochelle, coached by former international Ronan O’Gara. The match, held at Bordeaux’s home ground, showcased a mix of resilience and tactical prowess as the hosts sought to build on their runners-up finish from the previous season.

Intense Match Highlights

The first half was a gritty affair, with both teams displaying strong defensive strategies. Bordeaux-Begles managed to secure a slim lead, finishing the half at 6-3. The turning point came shortly after halftime when star winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored the first try of the match, extending the lead to 11-3.

La Rochelle responded quickly, with Jules Favre crossing for a try soon after, narrowing the score to 11-10. The match intensified as new scrum-half Martin Page-Relo, who started in place of injured captain Maxime Lucu, marked his debut with a crucial try in the 63rd minute. His performance highlighted the depth of Bordeaux-Begles’ squad, allowing them to maintain their lead.

Despite a late surge from La Rochelle, including a try from Thomas Berjon in the dying minutes, Bordeaux-Begles held firm. The team faced challenges with two yellow cards issued to players Xan Mousques and Matis Perchaud, yet their discipline and skill allowed them to secure the win.

Stade Francais Shines in Opener

Earlier in the day, Stade Francais made a commanding statement with a 47-24 victory over promoted Montauban. After narrowly escaping relegation last season, Stade displayed a revitalized spirit under coach Paul Gustard, starting the match with early tries from Joe Jonas and Baptiste Pesenti.

Montauban attempted to fight back, scoring twice through Josua Vici and Kyllian Ringuet, but Stade’s offensive onslaught continued with four additional tries from notable players, including summer recruit Tawera Kerr-Barlow. Montauban’s Yvan Reilhac managed two late tries, yet they were insufficient to change the outcome.

Reilhac acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “Conceding seven tries over the long term is not sustainable. The attack is there, we really need to get our defence sorted.”

Other Matches in the Top 14

The opening weekend also saw last season’s semi-finalists Toulon secure a 27-17 victory against Montpellier, despite missing several key players. Toulon took an early lead, finishing the first half 24-3 ahead. Montpellier attempted a comeback but fell short, with Tom Banks scoring a late try.

Racing 92, having overhauled their squad in the summer, faced a challenging match against Lyon. They struggled in the first half, trailing 25-7 at the break. Although Racing improved in the second half, Lyon sealed a 32-7 victory, leaving Racing with plenty to ponder as the season unfolds.

In other matches, Bayonne edged out Perpignan 26-19, while Pau secured a close 17-15 win against Castres. The Top 14 season has officially kicked off, and teams are eager to establish their positions early on as they aim for championship glory.