French Top 10 continues to astound

Caen take on Perpignan (thanks toOvaliecannaise.com)

Admittedly Pool 1 is settling down into a pattern, a key part of it being the remarkable scoring record of France and Montpellier hooker Gaelle Mignot who recorded her fourth brace of tries in just six games – an indication, perhaps, of where the champions strength lies. That and the boot of Aurelie Bailon who continues to convert kicking opportunities with almost metronomic efficiency. This weekend the two of them combined to give Bobigny only their second defeat of the season, 26-5 (Picture gallery).

With a three point margin over the teams below them – and a game in hand – Montpellier would seem to have the top position in Pool 1 all but sewn up, and with it what could be an important top seeding for the quarter-final stage.

Elsewhere in Pool 1 it is really now a matter of jockeying for position, and Caen did their chances no harm at all with an impressive 23-3 win over an injury-hit Perpignan, who were only able to send 19 players (one of whom had never played before at this level) on the 2,000km 24-hour round trip from the south of France to the north. With Marie Alice Yahe ill, Christelle Le Duff injured, Fanny Horta preparing for Dubai, and several other players unavailable or forced to play in unusual positions the game was always going to be difficult for the Catalans.

After nine hours of trains and coaches Perpignan arrived to find a very heavy pitch and energy-sapping humid conditions, Their hosts were supremely confident after their win in Perpignan 20-3 a few weeks ago, but nonetheless the first half was very close and intense with the ball being in play for long periods. Perpignan's line outs faired well, but Caen dominated in the scrum area- and it was this that was the difference, with Caen's 10-3 lead mainly due to a penalty try conceded from a scrum.

In the second period Perpignan's defence worked better and the forwards upped their game but the conditions, the journey and lack of replacements gradually took its toll on the game. In the end the visitors felt that the final score maybe flattered Caen, Perpignan's physicality and efforts reaping few rewards. It was a disappointed team that began the long journey home.

However, while the result does give Bordeaux (who did not play this weekend) a theoretical and outside chance of piping them to final quarter-final place, in truth Perpignan’s place in the last eight is assured. (Picture gallery)

The question about who they will play there may be decided in two weeks time (there is a break for Dubai next weekend) when the top two in Pool 2 (Lille and Rennes) meet in Rennes.

In the meanwhile on Saturday night Lille put themselves in pole position with an impressive 29-12 win over Blagnac St Orens (BSORF). In truth it was a scoreline that almost flattered the losing team, all of whose points came in the final four minutes. BSORF were unable to repeat their sensational win last weekend, and certainly seemed to miss the aggression of Manon Andre in the back row. Nonetheless they were only a single score behind at half-time, but three Lille tries in 20 minutes after the break killed off any hopes for a second win – or even a bonus point. Instead it was Lille who went away with five points from their 29-12 win.

BSORF’s loss became all the more painful on Sunday when their great rivals for avoiding the drop - Lons (who they defeated last week, pushing them into the bottom position) - took on unbeaten Rennes at home.

Lons has something of a reputation as being a tough place for teams to visit - even before a 600km coach journey is factored in. Their highly vocal home support creates a hostile environment at the best of times, and with this week’s game being heavily promoted as possibly their last home game in the Top 10 it will not have been a comfortable place for Rennes to visit at the end of their long journey from Brittany to the Pyrenees.

However, Rennes brought with them the only unbeaten record, and memories of a comprehensive 32-3 win when the teams met in September – and Lons could find only 19 fit players for the game, with key names such as Caroline Ladagnous (confirmed as being out with an ankle injury until after the New Year), Christelle Chobet (rib injury), and Laurie Rodriguez (out for the season with a knee injury) all missing.

Despite this, after 40 minutes Lons were on top. Careful preparation had identified the weaknesses in the Rennes team. Playing better than than had all season, especially up front, they forced errors and finished the first half 20-12 up, including two converted tries, to just four penalties from Rennes. But soon after the start of the second half the game changes. Rennes scrum picked up its intensity. After 54 minutes Patricia Carrucaburu – who had spearheaded the Lons dominance up front – was forced from the field through injury, and within two minutes Rennes draw within three points with a try from Sandrine Agricole. The last twenty minutes are a tale of desperate defence from Lons and missed opportunities from Rennes, resulting in no further scores and Lons taking the game 20-17.

As a result BSORF now slip into the relegation spot – with one game left for each team.BSORF play first on 8th December, at home to La Valette in a game they have to (and quite possibly will) win. If they do then Lons will have win in Lille on the 15th. It all promises to go right down to the last kick.

Pool 1

Pool 2