Top 14: Efficiency, defense, second half slump… The highlights and pitfalls of LIndépendant after USAP

During each Top 14 match, L’Indépendant offers its highlights and criticisms. Following the victory against Toulon at Aimé-Giral (36-20), let’s review the performance of the sang et or.

We liked

Efficiency

USAP has too often struggled in the scoring zones to ignore that they were lethal this Saturday, facing Toulon (36-20). Only six entries into the Varois’ 22 meters for 36 points and five tries. An average of 6 points per entry into the scoring zone. The statistic is outstanding. Because USAP has always paid, and that’s where the Catalans made the difference with the Toulonnais. They were also opportunistic in scoring two tries following Varois errors in their own camp: Joaquín Oviedo (34th) after a knock-on from the kick-off and Tommaso Allan (74th) after two RCT mistakes in their camp. Plus, there was the killer ball recovery by Théo Forner (80’+1).

Defensive solidarity

Naturally, when a team is efficient offensively, it means they spend a lot of time defending. And USAP did it well this Saturday. Because for 61% of the time, the game was played in their half. The Catalans valiantly resisted, including snatching two Toulon balls in-goal (47th, 50th). The six stolen turnovers also show this collective defensive effort.

Yato-Hicks, the Catalan engines

For several weeks, these two players have stood out in the Catalan forwards pack. But against Toulon, they were excellent. Peceli Yato scored USAP’s first try (9th), made the most carries (15) for 35 meters, beating a defender and making a break. He was one of the best attackers, always pushing USAP forward. Max Hicks was a defensive standout, slowing down Toulon’s ball exits in the 22 meters and winning two balls in the rucks. In total, he stole three RCT lineouts and won nine balls. “Our forwards were very effective, with Max Hicks and Peceli Yato leading the way,” said USAP manager Laurent Labit.

We didn’t like

The lineout

It seems like the lineout is an area that always needs improvement. Just look at the Catalans’ performance this Saturday, where they weren’t as dominant as last weekend against LOU. USAP didn’t even win half of their lineouts. Often due to details rather than Toulon’s domination. The four penalties against USAP (18th, 29th, 55th, 62nd) marred their superiority.

Beginning of the second half

The scenario from last week against Lyon almost repeated itself, with a second-half slump that could have been fatal. After nearly a perfect first half, the Catalans faced Toulon attacks after the break. They looked helpless as RCT took control. Ludo scored two tries (Mikheili Shioshvili, 51st, and Lewis Ludlam, 57th) as the score went from 24-10 to 24-20. The momentum seemed to shift, but this time, the sang et or stood firm.