There is nothing better than a win to validate a long block of physical preparation. Racing 92 were the Top 14 club to schedule their first friendly of the summer earliest, and they came through it rather well. On Friday at Biars-sur-Cère against Brive, opponents who play a division below but are further along in their pre-season, the Paris-region club claimed a comfortable win (28-7) under the eye of France head coach and local lad Fabien Galthié.

Ravutaumada scores and goes off injured

Level at half-time (7-7), the Sky Blue and Whites made the difference after the break thanks in particular to the introduction of their half-back signings Leo Carbonneau, who scored a try against his former side (69th), and Ugo Seunes. Wings Selestino Ravutaumada (6th) and Wilfried Hulleu (49th) also scored on their first appearance. Unluckily for the former, he had to go off injured shortly after the half-hour.

The one black mark on an otherwise very positive evening for the side coached by Patrice Collazo, who play another friendly next Saturday, against Stade français at Châteauroux.