Seven matches, fourteen teams, and a pecking order that took shape on the very first weekend.
Seven matches, fourteen teams, and a pecking order that took shape on the very first weekend.
The relegated sides make their mark
On Friday, Carcassonne hosted Albi, semi-finalists and top of the table at the end of last season’s regular phase. USC won 32-14 with a try bonus point, four of their five tries scored by the forwards. Hooker Yan Tabarot, who scored twice, was named player of the match.
“That gets the season going,” he said. His coach Joël Rey, who arrived this summer, was more guarded: “It was laboured, let’s be smart and efficient.”
The same evening at Guy-Boniface, Mont-de-Marsan gave newly promoted Vienne nothing: 47-0, seven tries, not a point conceded. The first try came after forty seconds, and it was already 26-0 at the break. More than 4,000 spectators turned up.
Périgueux fall at home, and the date matters
The only real upset of the weekend came in the Dordogne. CA Périgueux, who fielded eleven new signings in their matchday 23, lost 20-25 to Massy at Stade Roger-Dantou. Two tries conceded in the first ten minutes, a 12-0 deficit, then a fightback through Rory Scholes and Nahum Merigan that fell short. They at least took a losing bonus point.
“The worst thing in rugby is a lack of commitment and aggression, so the worst possible thing happened to us,” said Didier Casadeï. “Rugby is a fight first and foremost, wanting to smash the guys in front of you, and today we played touch.”
It is Périgueux’s first home league defeat since 22 February 2025 and a 19-21 loss to Langon, exactly 546 days ago to the day. The run applies to the regular season: in between, Périgueux did lose again at Roger-Dantou, but in the knockout stage, 16-23 against Rouen on 3 May 2025.
Orléans win on debut
Newly promoted Orléans beat Bourg-en-Bresse 27-6 in their first match at the third tier. Suresnes beat Rouen 23-13, Rennes got the better of Chambéry 35-28, and Bourgoin-Jallieu closed the round by beating Marcq-en-Barœul 25-20.
Full results
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Carcassonne – Albi | 32-14 |
| Mont-de-Marsan – Vienne | 47-0 |
| Orléans – Bourg-en-Bresse | 27-6 |
| Suresnes – Rouen | 23-13 |
| Périgueux – Massy | 20-25 |
| Rennes – Chambéry | 35-28 |
| Bourgoin-Jallieu – Marcq-en-Barœul | 25-20 |
As a reminder, there is no relegation from the Nationale this season, ahead of the planned reform of the competitions.
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