Imhoff’s red for headbutt can’t stop slick Racing

RACING 92 kept themselves in the hunt for a quarter-final place after overcoming Castres despite seeing their Argentinian wing Juan Imhoff red carded in the second half for a headbutt.

Racing’s hopes of qualification were dented by a narrow defeat to the same team last week, but the Parisians were much better value yesterday.

Leone Nakarawa was the star of the show once again, with his dexterity at close quarters giving the hosts an early lead.

Virimi Vakatawa also went over in the opening period while Maxime Machenaud kicked two conversions and a penalty for a 17-0 buffer. Although Rory Kockott reduced the arrears, the hosts went into the interval ten points in front.

Imhoff saw red but it did not affect them with Louis Dupichot going over twice to complete a bonus-point victory.

It takes them to 11 points in Pool 2, level with Munster, but the Irish province have a chance to move clear when they face Leicester Tigers on Sunday.

Following Teddy Thomas’ error last weekend, where he dropped the ball over the line and arguably cost Racing the game, the France international was nowhere to be seen for this encounter.

As a result, the former Champions Cup finalists were far more clinical early on. They controlled the opening passages of play and Nakarawa rewarded their dominance by using his vast wingspan to great effect by stretching out and touching down.

Christophe Urios’ men were struggling for continuity and the Parisians were benefiting from their inability to hold onto the ball.

They duly scored for the second time when Vakatawa crossed the line before Machenaud extended their buffer.

Kockott did give Castres hope just shy of the interval and they pressed early in the second period, but the Parisians were too strong defensively.

When the hosts did get an opportunity to attack, they took it as Dupichot raced over the line to effectively complete the victory.

The big talking point of the game came shortly afterwards when Kockott was yellow carded for a tiptackle on Teddy Iribaren as he held him upside-down in the air, with Imhoff seeing red for a headbutt on Kockott in the ensuing melee.

Despite being reduced to 14 men, it was Racing who scored again with ten minutes remaining when winger Dupichot clinched the bonus point with their fourth try to end Castres chances of reaching the quarter-finals.