The vice-champions of Europe - Nice way of saying you lost the final

Good write up here in L'Equipe

www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Le-racin...e-europeenne/1205336

Jostled by the Irish from Connacht, Racing 92 won their first European Cup match with the offensive bonus (26-22) on Sunday. But the end of the meeting was stifling.
Adrien Korea
updated December 14, 2020 at 11:41 a.m.
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The match: 26-22
It was not all easy for Ile-de-France residents. Far from there. Racing was jostled by aggressive and uninhibited Connacht players, who did not hesitate to impose long stretches of possession, in a typical Irish style. But in terms of accounting, the mission is accomplished for Laurent Travers' men with victory and the offensive bonus point.

The vice-champions of Europe started their afternoon well with an early try from George-Henri Colombe, very powerful (6th). Kurtley Beale imitated his pillar a few moments later after a nice number from Virimi Vakatawa (17th). Then it was Donovan Taofifenua who, with an acrobatic dive at the end of the line, gave Racing a very comfortable lead even before the half hour mark (24th, 19-3). The Hauts-de-Seine club seemed to be heading quietly towards improved success.

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Racing-Connacht film
But the Ile-de-France machine has seized up, with many hand errors and culpable indiscipline. Connacht also has its responsibility in the sluggish part of the French club. The Irish persevered by multiplying the phases of play. They were rewarded with a nice try from Matt Healy after a cross from Jack Carty (40th + 1).

Back from the locker room, Racing once again fished in the last gesture. If Dominic Bird offered the offensive bonus to his team after a good group-penetrating (51st), the Parisians could have killed the match earlier. Instead, the tests of Vakatawa (50th) and Beale (71st) were refused for a questionable forward from Teddy Iribaren and especially a big mistake by Teddy Thomas when fixing the last defender. And the Connacht almost jumped at the chance. His two tries by Alex Wootton (62nd) and Conor Oliver (78th) made the end of the match stifling. But a last decisive scratch from Kévin Le Guen was able to relieve the Racingmen.

Some game. Never mind the winning of it, 5% one way and we'd have won, 5% the other and there'd be a 15 point gap. Really impressed however with the attitude our lads showed. From Ultan putting in a full 80, Jacks amazing kicking from play, to Wootens amazing steal. Matt was lively tonight, Cian Prendergast did brilliantly, the 'Bouncers' played their part well.

We had them in the scrum, line out let us down a little bit at times.

At the final whistle those Racing lads looked absolutely knackered, we looked like we could've gone on another 20. We all would've loved to get another scalp, but heads should be held very high for Bristol coming over to us.

Former Coach wrote: Invalid consumer key/secret in configuration

Sorry, was trying to get that link to show up for everyone!! Leave it with me!

CONNACHT: John Porch; Alex Wootton, Sammy Arnold, Tom Daly, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Eoghan Masterson, Ultan Dillane, Sean Masterson, Jarrad Butler, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Caolin Blade, Bundee Aki, Tiernan O’Halloran.

1 player out with Covid and 3 shielding, not seeing Roux in the starting line up or Thornbury....

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salmson wrote: Am I alone in thinking the team mostly picks itself given availability and form?

Porch - Arnold - Aki - Daly - Wooton - Carty - Blade
Buckley - Heffernan - Bealham - Thornbury - Roux - Masterson - Butler - Boyle
(Delahunt - McAllister - Aungier - Dillane - Oliver - Marmion - Fitzgerald - Sullivan/Healy/O'Halloran)

That looks good to me. Looking forward to this too, but also still raging that we can't all be there. The Bristol trip would have been class too. First world problems I know.

Am I alone in thinking the team mostly picks itself given availability and form?

Porch - Arnold - Aki - Daly - Wooton - Carty - Blade
Buckley - Heffernan - Bealham - Thornbury - Roux - Masterson - Butler - Boyle
(Delahunt - McAllister - Aungier - Dillane - Oliver - Marmion - Fitzgerald - Sullivan/Healy/O'Halloran)

Looking forward to this, have to say. Will be a big step up from the last few weeks, and I don't think that the gaps in matches will help. Having the 'bouncers' back is going to give us a huge boost.

Connacht Rugby face into first round action...