French Top 8 returns with new a leader
Last weekend was the first complete round of the French Top 8 since before the Dubai 7s. However, with games involving teams without players in the sevens squad going ahead in the interim, there have been quite a few changes since we last reviewed the championship.
Published by John Birch, December 17th, 2014
3 minute read
The most significant movement involves champions Montpellier. Before Dubai they were in second place, five points behind Lille but with a game in hand. However, while the World Series were underway “the Ladybirds” not only predictably won their outstanding game with bottom club La Valette (32-0) but also played, and beat, Rennes 44-12. As a result at the start of last weekend’s round Montpellier were on top, with 33 points, five ahead of Lille – though the northerners now had a game in hand.
Bobigny – home of the cream of France’s backline, and championship challengers – were their visitors, but Gaelle Mignot’s team are in such form that they swept the Parisians aside with a five-try, 25-0 victory.
To keep pace Lille needed to beat Blagnac St Orens away - but Blagnac has been something of a fortress this season. A great kick through by Marjorie Mayans put Marine Perceval in for an opening score for BSORF, before their pack drove over for a second try before the break. 12-0 down at half time, Lille fought hard and managed to salvage a bonus point through a try by Isabelle Ménager but with five rounds to go in the league phase, Montpellier now have an ominous eight point lead at the top.
Blagnac themselves now lie third, just two points behind Lille, though – as they also played during the Dubai sevens – they have played a game more.
The two other challengers for places in the final – Perpignan and Bobigny – were both returning from their month-long break but, while Bobigny were suffered at the hands of Montpellier, Perpignan were having much more success against Rennes with a 38-13 bonus point win that puts them also within striking distance of second place.
In the final game of the weekend at the bottom the table Caen disposed of La Valette 23-5 – a useful away win, with an extra point. La Valette – with their single point – now seem doomed to relegation.
CLUB
P
W
D
L
PD
BP
PTS
1
MONTPELLIER R C
9
8
0
1
120
5
37
2
LILLE METROPOL RC VILLENEUVOIS
8
6
0
2
79
5
29
3
BLAGNAC SAINT ORENS RUGBY FEMININ
9
6
0
3
54
3
27
4
U S A P XV FEMININ ROUSSILLON
8
5
0
3
87
5
25
5
A C BOBIGNY 93 RUGBY
8
4
0
4
-28
2
18
6
L OVALIE CAENNAISE
9
3
0
6
-53
4
16
7
STADE RENNAIS RUGBY
9
2
0
7
-55
5
13
8
RUGBY CLUB VALETTOIS REVESTOIS
8
0
0
8
-204
1
1