French Top 10: After two strong performances, Lons go into the Six Nations break as clear favourites to win their first ever French championship.
In the two rounds of games since the New Year the team from the suburbs of Pau in the Pyrennes – who have even never reached the final of the French championship before – have looked unstoppable, scoring fourteen tries while conceding only one in return. They are the only team who have picked up maximum points over both weekends.
This weekend it was Gennevillers who were on the receiving end. Tries from Laura Delas, Caroline Ladagnous (pictured), Pauline Raymond and Mélanie Sedze all but ensured the offensive bonus before half-time. Further second half tries by Ladagnous and Sedze, plus another from Laure Rodriguez – all rounded off by an almost perfect performance with the boot by Nadège Casenave (six conversions from seven) – resulted in a 47-5 victory. Ladagnous, with four tries in two games, has looked in magnificent form over the past two weekends, fully justifying her return to the French national squad.
In reply Laetitia Lefranc touched down for Gennevillers near the end, which captain Nahla El Sayed saw as the one gleam of hope for the Parisians in their battle to avoid relegation - "The try recognized the hard work done in this match. We were expecting this type of game – a big team, big intensity and aggression. We started well, but could not compete up front. The score came late on, but it has lifted the team and made the game."
Lons’ captain Maïtena Chuburu also recognised their opponents’ performance - "This was not a walkover. There was plenty of aggression on their part - Gennevilliers is a great team. They kept trying, but we had more to offer, especially out wide. The semi-finals begin to feel just touching distance away now. We’re already leaders – it’s a position that makes you dream at little. We will do everything to be semis - and then maybe more ...".
Second place Montpellier had a far tougher game at home to Lille - their hard-fought 18-10 win keeps them within two points of Lons. For Lille it was another tale of what might have been, only one point from the two New Year games means that they have now slipped from fourth to sixth – though their challenge for a semi-final place is far from over, particularly as one of their major rivals also finished the weekend pointless.
Fourth-placed Rennes had travelled with some confidence to third-placed Perpignan, but were unable to repeat their against-the-odds win over Lille last weekend. Eight of France’s Six Nations 22 were on show, in a close fought game – but it was the home side who scored all the tries. Perpignan’s crucial try bonus, in their 17-3 win, closes the gap on Montpellier to four points.
With both Rennes and Lille finishing the weekend pointless, Caen now slip into fourth with an 18-0 win at St Orens. However, a failure to score a third try means that they only hold the position on points difference. Finally, Bobigny’s recovery continued - they can now breathe again as their 20-7 win over Sassenage pulls them well clear of the drop zone.
There will now be a four week break in competition in France, as the nation’s leading players now join forces for international duty in a much-anticipated Six Nations. As a pointer to that tournament it is intriguing to note that the in-form team, Lons, only provide three players for the squad (including Larua Delas, who was a late addition made at the end of last week). Half of the squad come from three teams – Lille, Rennes and Perpignan - who (in comparison) have had a frustrating fortnight, scoring only nine tries between them.
Positions (after 12/18 games): 1. Lons (10 wins, 48 pts); 2. Montpellier (10 wins, 46 pts); 3. Perpignan (9 wins, 42 pts); 4. Caen (7 wins, 34 pts); 5. Rennes (7 wins, 34 pts); 6. Lille (7 wins, 33 pts); 7. Bobigny (6 wins, 28 pts); 8. St Orens (2 wins, 12 pts); 9. Gennevillers (1 win, 6 pts); 10. Sassenage (1 win, 5pts).
Copy thanks to John Birch
