1
Montpellier march on, Brive climb off the bottom
By Alex Fisher
Top 14 leaders Montpellier sit six points clear at the summit after an emphatic display against Castres, Les Cistes winning 45-7.
A dominant opening 40 minutes – aided by Maama Vaipulu's trip to the sin bin – saw Montpellier pile on 21 points.
Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Bismarck du Plessis both crossed, while Ruan Pienaar kicked eight points and Francois Steyn converted a drop goal.
There was no let up after the break as Montpellier added another three tries, while all Castres could muster was Armand Batlle's converted score.
Toulouse are hot on Montpellier's heels thanks to a 37-33 victory over Stade Francais, the accuracy of Zack Holmes and Jean-Marc Doussain proving crucial as both sides scored four tries.
Wandile Mjekevu and Cheslin Kolbe plus 10 points from Holmes gave Toulouse a seven-point advantage at half-time, and although Stade Francais fought back the visitors were able to cling on.
The four points moves them into second place above Racing 92 – who face Lyon on Sunday.
La Rochelle made it back-to-back wins to cement their top-six place as Bordeaux-Begles were brushed aside 31-20, the hosts running in five tries.
They are joined in the European places by Pau after a 33-12 triumph over Oyonnax – who slip to the bottom of the table.
Oyonnax drop to 14th place after Brive claimed a first league win of 2018 by beating Agen 15-12.
Gaetan Germain was Brive's hero with five penalties, while Agen could only register four in a tactical battle that also saw three yellow cards.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
I'm very aware that GB is not UK.
Also that the British Isles are not the same as the British Islands.
I still think your objection to calling this a tour to the UK is stupid and pedantic.
I repeat what I send earlier, the Boks are not playing anywhere except in the UK.
It's legitimate therefore to call this a tour to the UK.
But this is boring now, goodnight, goodbye. And good luck with your crusade (that really doesn't have any bearing on what the article is discussing.)
Go to commentsHappy for Asher Opoku-Fordjour but why oh why is he the only new face, Borthwick didn't have to change 50% of the team but surely another 2 or 3 squad guys could have been given the chance to show what they could do? What can we possibly learn from this game other than we can beat Japan with a strong team.... hold the front page....!!
Go to comments