No, it was not a replay. A Top 14 match really was on the schedule on Sunday, just after France‘s clear win over Italy in the Six Nations (33-8). In a rearranged round 17 fixture, Perpignan crushed Pau at Aimé-Giral (40-24) in front of a fine crowd of supporters.

An odd piece of news disrupted the build-up. Posolo Tuilagi and Sama Malolo, named on the team sheet to face Section Paloise, were disciplined by manager Laurent Labit, according to L’Indépendant and Actu Rugby. They were dropped from the squad, replaced by young Lotrian and the very good Lucas Velarte.

On the pitch, though, Perpignan never looked troubled. In the slipstream of an excellent Alivereti Duguivalu, a brilliant Benjamin Urdapilleta and a rediscovered Tristan Tedder – among others – USAP produced some lovely passages of play, also leaning on good work at the set piece.

A poor second half

So Duguivalu (8th), Tanguy (12th) and Lee-Joseph, twice (20th, 35th), crossed the whitewash in the first half. Pau, opened up in every area and missing in defence, managed to limit the damage thanks to tries from Montoya (8th) and above all from Grandidier-Nkanang on the hooter.

A breathless, enjoyable, open first half… Not like the second. Before the 75th minute, only an Urdapilleta penalty had been scored. Late on, the 100% Béarn prop Etchebehere brought Pau back into the game but Velarte, four minutes later, sealed the outcome for good with one final try.

No changes in the table, USAP stay 13th and second from bottom, 18 points off 12th place held by Bayonne. Pau, on the other hand, without Gailleton, Attissogbe and Brau-Boirie, remain second but have only a one-point cushion over UBB (3rd), three over Montpellier (4th) and five over Clermont (5th).

Round 18 of the Top 14 returns on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March. Perpignan travel to Stade Français while Pau, closing the round, host UBB in an already crucial clash.