On January 4, 2025, LOU Rugby secured a pivotal victory against Perpignan, winning 17-12 during their Top 14 matchup held at their home ground. This win marked LOU's first success in the league since mid-October and was seen as a significant turning point after experiencing two draws and two victories recently.
The match was initially challenging for LOU, as they faced an aggressive start from Perpignan's side. Tommaso Allan kicked off the scoring with three points for Perpignan just five minutes in, showcasing their early dominance. The Lyonnais, with the weight of their previous struggles looming over them, needed to rally quickly.
Under the guidance of scrum coach Arnaud Héguy, who stressed the importance of collective victory and possession control, LOU made adjustments as the match progressed. It didn't take long before Beka Shvangiradze propelled LOU forward with the first try of the match, breaking the line at the 22nd minute, and securing the lead at 7-3.
Minutes later, Guillaume Marchand added another try right before the half, pushing LOU's lead to 17-3, thanks to Léo Berdeu's accuracy from the penalty line. By halftime, the Lyonnais seemed to have regained their confidence and were dominating the match.
Despite the encouraging first half, LOU faced troubles after the break. The team struggled to maintain their momentum and control, receiving multiple yellow cards, including one for Ainsley shortly after the restart. This sequence of events resulted in Allan capitalizing on LOU's errors, reducing the deficit with penalty conversions.
Perpignan's persistence led the match to become progressively tense. By the 69th minute, the Catalans had closed the gap to just five points, standing at 17-12. LOU, having to fend off relentless attacks without conceding, felt the pressure of their defensive responsibilities. The final ten minutes saw mounting discomfort as Perpignan sought to find even footing.
Remarkably, the match also marked the end of Xavier Mignot's tenure with LOU, as he played his last Top 14 game with the club. His impressive yet bittersweet farewell was celebrated with cheers from the home crowd after he left the field. Mignot expressed, “Eight years spent at the club do not leave one indifferent. The best exit will be achieving good performance.”
Although the second half showcased numerous inaccuracies and technical errors from both sides, LOU managed to regain control during the dying moments of the game. Their defensive setup held strong against Perpignan’s attempts to capitalize on scoring opportunities, ensuring LOU walked away with the win.
The victory over Perpignan lifted LOU out of the relegation zone, adding much-needed momentum as they look forward to future matches. Coach Karim Ghezal emphasized the importance of the win for team morale and confidence as they head out to face Connacht next week for their European challenge.
This match was not just about the scoreboard; it served as a reflection of LOU’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity. Many fans hope this victory will usher them back on track as they navigate through the rest of the Top 14 season.