Ibitoye off to a flyer on debut for Agen
There has been actual, genuine, Top 14 rugby to talk about this week, as – after a week of tense anticipation and concern as teams reported isolated cases of Covid-19 – the 2020/21 season finally kicked off.
Former Harlequin Gabriel Ibitoye made an instant mark, creating Agen’s first-half opener then scoring twice in quick second-half succession against Castres Olympique.
His first was unrecognisable as an Ibitoye score, a shortrange dive over a mess of players; but his second was pure, unadulterated Ibitoye as he flashed on to a smart kick ahead to score under the posts. Looks like the young man is enjoying life in southwest France.
Unfortunately for Agen, his efforts were ultimately in vain, as Castres picked up a 22-26 opening-day win on the road.
Another young man of Agen, Leo Berdeu, currently on-loan to Lyon, missed a crucial longrange penalty against Racing 92, with less than 15 minutes left on the clock. It would have turned the final moments into a one-point game. But Racing, who had scored tries through old head Juan Imhoff, the irrepressible Finn Russell, and young gun Louis Dupichot hung tough to win 23-27.
The French accent on youth has been much in evidence in recent years. And there has been something quietly interesting in the run-up to the new season.
Even as national coach Fabien Galthie discovered his grand plan to ensure 42 players were available to him for October’s training squads – by raiding the ProD2 and even calling up unemployed players – may not be a realistic option because of LNR rules, Top 14 clubs were busy confirming their captains for the season. With a few notable exceptions, most were well south of 30.
Arthur Vincent captained France’s U20s to their second World Championship title in 2019. He has already taken on the mantle for Montpellier during games as necessary, but on Friday was listed as captain on the teamsheet for the hastily rescheduled match against Pau.
Toulon have named hooker Anthony Etrillard as captain. A relative old-head at 26, he’s another who will have plenty of experience to turn to on the pitch – notably in France captain Charles Ollivon and South African Eben Etzebeth. His vice-captains, however, are 23year-old Anthony Belleau and 21-year-old Louis Carbonel.
Castres have again turned to Mathieu Babillot. The 26-yearold has long been heir apparent to the now-retired Rodrigo Capo Ortega. Notable among the club’s three vice-captains is Baptiste Delaporte, who clocks in at 23.
Julian Marchand turned 25 in May, but has captained Toulouse since 2018, while Lyon’s leader Baptiste Couilloud is 23.
La Rochelle and Racing 92 have headed another way. La Rochelle have opted for plenty of experience as well as youth in their three-headed captain. Romain Sazy and Victor Vito bring the old heads, while Gregory Alldritt, at 23, adds youthful potential.
Racing, meanwhile, have stuck with the cruelly underrated Henry Chavancy, 32. They, at least, recognise his value, even if France do not.
French rugby has placed greater emphasis on younger players in recent years. This switch to younger captains is merely the latest iteration of that youth policy. For all their tender years, not one of these players is shy of experience. Marchand has more than 100 appearances for Toulon under his belt; Carbonel is fast approaching 50 outings for Toulon; Vincent is knocking on the door of 40 caps for Montpellier.
The decision to postpone the grand 2020-21 season opener between Stade Francais and Bordeaux following an outbreak of coronavirus at the Paris club was both the right one and the only one the LNR could take. Stade were unable to select enough specialist front rowers for a matchday 23.
The lights went out – both literally and figuratively – at Montpellier’s GGL Stadium, where the back-up season opener following a shift-round of the fixture list took place. The floodlights failed three minutes in, long before the lights in the minds of the players gave out. The hosts were 23-10 up – 13 of them and a try assist coming from the boot of Handre Pollard – and cruising at half-time.
But they seemed to switch off totally in the dressing room, and were nilled in the second half to lose – to an after-thehooter penalty try – 23-26.
La Rochelle fairly cruised to a first-to-final whistle win over Toulon in front of 8,000 fans at Stade Marcel Deflandre. Flyhalf Ihaia West scored all-but five of the home side’s points in a 29-15 win on Vito’s 100th outing for the Atlantic coast club. Baptiste Serin landed five penalties in response, as the visitors failed to trouble the hosts’ ingoal area.
But there’s some concern for Toulon coach Patrice Collazo. Star man Etzebeth lasted less than a quarter-of-an-hour before picking up what appeared to be a rib injury after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Brive – another side keeping faith with an older captain in the hard-edged form of Said Hireche – kick off their season against Bayonne in the first of two matchs on Sunday.
Scrum-half Sebastien Bezy left Toulouse at the end of last season in search of more game time. He’s down to start for new club Clermont Auvergne against his former team-mates tonight.
Much-hyped fellow new-boy, Japan full-back Kotaro Matsushima, is also in the starting line-up. Regional authorities have allowed 10,000 fans into the ground for the match – the final game of the opening weekend under Sunday night lights.
“French accent on youth in evidence with most T14 captains well south of 30”