If the Lyon hinge Couilloud-Berdeu capitalized on the score (30 points) against valiant Castres led by a brilliant Séguret, it was above all the powerful Ioane and Botha who stood out to win (40-38) a match as spectacular as frustrating for everyone, ended in the general crush.
The tops
Unconvincing last season in the Lou jersey, the Italian international confirmed his good start to the season by signing a high-level performance. Author of his team’s first try (8th) after winning his duel with Christian Ambadiang with a ruckus, Monty Ioane was responsible for all the good moves of his team, weighing particularly heavily in the revolt at the start of the second period, where he lit the wick of a superb overflow on his wing. A permanent danger in attack, he also had the good taste to show himself bleeding in defense, like this final chase in the 78th, followed by a decisive tackle on Ambadiang launched at full speed.
For the Lou cavalry to be able to express itself in disorder, a few dominant forwards were necessary. Thus, in the company of Mickaël Guillard in the oven and at the mill for 50 minutes, it was the number 8 Springbok Arno Botha who distinguished himself in the Lyon ranks, not only making several dominant impacts, but above all by securing the victory by a strong try in the 67th, all the more crucial as it was numerically inferior.
The flops
We can easily imagine the frustration of the Castres, at the end of this match, to only bring back one point from Gerland. But honestly, the quality of the game deserved a completely different outcome than the lamentable spectacle we were given to witness, with a general fight which lasted almost a minute, concluded by yellow cards against Ambadiang and Berdeu. Nothing glorious for anyone, especially since the crowd extended beyond the actors.
It is an understatement to say that the Fijian center will not have good memories of this trip to Gerland. Never really in the rhythm and in difficulty against his compatriot Semi Radradra, Vilimoni Botitu stood out for numerous defensive errors, like the one which opened the way for a too easy try to Léo Berdeu (23rd). And as if that wasn’t enough, an unfortunate collision with an opponent on the ground forced him to leave the pitch prematurely, injured in one knee.
Lyon’s notes
- 15. Alexandre Tchapchet 4,5/10
- 14. Ethan Dumortier 5/10
- 13. Semi Radradra 6/10
- 12. Théo Millet 5.5/10
- 11. Monty Ioane 7/10
- 10. Leo Berdeu 5.5/10
- 9. Baptiste Couilloud 5.5/10
- 8. Arno Botha 7/10
- 7. Beka Shvangiradze 5,5/10
- 6. Dylan Cretin 5/10
- 5. Mickaël Guillard 6,5/10
- 4. Felix Lambey 4.5/10
- 3. Jermaine Ainsley 5,5/10
- 2.Guillaume Marchand 5/10
- 1. Sébastien Taofifenua 5/10
Castres notes
- 15.Geoffrey Palis 4/10
- 14. Christian Ambadiang 5/10
- 13. Vilimoni Botito 3/10
- 12.Adrien Séguret 6.5/10
- 11. Rémy Baguette 4.5/10
- 10.Louis Le Brun 5.5/10
- 8.Yann Peysson 6/10
- 7.Gauthier Maravat 5/10
- 6.Baptiste Delaporte 5/10
- 5.Florent Vanverberghe 4.5/10
- 4.Paul Jedrasiak 4/10
- 3.Nicolas Corato 5/10
- 2.Gaëtan Barlot 5/10
- 1.Loïs Guérois 6/10
