The hard way… but a win all the same. At the end of a breathless arm-wrestle, at times scrappy and short on flourishes, Vannes provisionally moved to the top of the table thanks to their win at Dax on Friday evening (15-16). Ill-disciplined and short of inspiration in attack, the Brittany side leaned on the boot of Anthony Bouthier and his two penalties with 30 minutes left. Dax, for their part, showed grit and courage, particularly in defence, but their unlucky kicker Hugo Cerisier struggled in front of the posts (11 points missed off the tee).

The hosts, who paid a fine tribute to Jean-Louis Bérot before the game, in the presence of Toulouse president Didier Lacroix and the family of the former international, scored two tries through the dynamic Jope Naseara (39th) and the powerful Nephi Leatigaga (47th). Yet it was Vannes who had taken control of the match after a flying start (0-10 up to the 38th), following a try from Pierre Boudehent and a penalty from Lafage.

The second half was tighter, between a Brittany side determined to win away and a Landes side urgently in need of points to finally climb the table. Dax’s last attack ultimately came to nothing and Jean-Noël Spitzer’s players claim their fourth win of the season. A result that puts them top, pending the rest of the fixtures on Friday evening.

The Red and Whites are still bottom with a single point, having been docked five points before the season had even started.