In a thrilling encounter at the Paris La Défense Arena, Racing 92 ended their five-match winless streak at home by defeating Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB) 36-31 in a match that featured nine tries and a nail-biting finish. This victory marked a significant turnaround for Racing, who had not tasted success since December 7, 2024, and allowed them to climb to 11th place in the Top 14 standings, surpassing Stade Français and gaining crucial breathing room above the relegation zone.
The match started with a bang for Racing, as Guram Gogichashvili scored the first try just three minutes into the game, capitalizing on a lost lineout by UBB. The home team took an early lead of 5-0. However, UBB responded quickly, with Samu and Latterrade scoring two tries within the first quarter, giving them a brief lead at 12-7 after a conversion from Matthieu Jalibert.
Racing’s resilience showed as they capitalized on UBB's errors, particularly their struggles in the lineout, where they lost seven balls in the first half alone. Feleti Kaitu'u initiated a comeback for Racing, scoring their second try in the 28th minute to reclaim the lead at 15-12. A penalty from Nolann Le Garrec extended Racing's advantage to 18-12 at halftime.
After the break, Racing maintained their momentum. Le Garrec scored an interception try early in the second half, followed by another penalty, pushing the score to 26-12. Kaitu'u added his second try in the 71st minute, bringing the score to 36-19, seemingly putting the match out of reach for UBB.
But UBB, determined to fight back, scored two late tries through Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Arthur Retière, narrowing the gap to just five points at 36-31. UBB had their chances to equalize, but Racing's defense held firm in the dying moments of the match. Jordan Joseph sealed the win for Racing by winning a crucial turnover after the final whistle, much to the relief of the home crowd.
Post-match reactions revealed contrasting emotions from both coaches. Patrice Collazo, Racing’s manager, expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, stating, "I said it was a crash test. We wanted to see if we were on the right path. It was an intense match for 80 minutes. We needed an attitude and mental strength, and we had it. This is just a step. Until we string together a series of wins, we won't be out of the woods. We still have room to improve collectively."
On the other hand, UBB's manager Yannick Bru was proud of his team's effort despite the loss, saying, "We didn’t give the match to Racing; they went out and earned it. I’m proud of this team for securing a defensive bonus point, but we wasted too many opportunities. We lost seven lineouts in the first half. Imagine if we had recovered even four of those... We have significant work to do to be stronger and more effective moving forward."
UBB captain Jefferson Poirot expressed frustration about their performance, particularly in the lineout, which he felt undermined their confidence. "We have to be much better on these details. Today, we take a point like a team battling relegation. We need urgent solutions for our lineout because next week, if we’re five points behind, we’re eliminated," he remarked.
Racing's victory was not just about the scoreline; it was also about individual performances. Guram Gogichashvili was a standout, receiving an 8/10 rating for his impactful play, including scoring the opening try. Feleti Kaitu'u, with two tries, earned a rating of 7.5/10, showcasing his power and effectiveness. Gaël Fickou also made significant contributions, rated 7/10 for his defensive work and involvement in the first try.
Conversely, UBB's Romain Latterrade struggled significantly, rated just 2.5/10 after losing several crucial lineouts, which hampered his team's attacking efforts. His performance highlighted the challenges UBB faced throughout the match, particularly in set pieces.
Despite the loss, UBB remains second in the Top 14 standings with 65 points, just two points ahead of Toulon but trailing Toulouse, who leads with 70 points. This match serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of the league, where every point counts as teams vie for playoff positions.
Looking ahead, both teams will need to regroup quickly. Racing will aim to build on this victory as they prepare for their next challenge, while UBB must address their lineout issues and maintain their position in the standings. The next encounter between these two teams will be in the Challenge Cup next weekend, promising another exciting chapter in their rivalry.
