Racing and Kolisi cruise past Oyonnax to extend Top 14 lead

English Woman's Journal - Racing and Kolisi cruise past Oyonnax to extend Top 14 lead

SPORTS 23.12.2023

Racing and Kolisi cruise past Oyonnax to extend Top 14 lead / Photo: ALAIN JOCARD - AFP

Siya Kolisi's Racing 92 hammered promoted Oyonnax 66-10 on Saturday to move six points clear at the summit of the French Top 14.

Change text size:

Kolisi, South Africa's double World Cup-winning captain, played the whole game as the Parisian club won their first game in three matches in all competitions, which has included two defeats in the Champions Cup.

Racing led 14-3 at half-time as scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec crossed twice following an early penalty by Oyonnax's Argentina fly-half Domingo Miotti.

Racing, the six-time French champions, ran away with things after the break as Le Garrec scored his third touchdown, for his first career hat-trick.

Tries from lock Fabien Sanconnie, former Oyonnax prop Thomas Laclayat, back-rower Maxime Baudonne with two, winger Christian Wade and centre Olivier Klemenczak completed the rout.

Le Garrec's performance furthered calls for the 21-year-old's inclusion in France's Six Nations squad, to be named next month, with first-choice scrum-half and captain Antoine Dupont missing due to his commitments before the Paris Olympics and Baptiste Serin injured.

Elsewhere, bottom side Montpellier claimed their first league win since August 20 and the opening round of the season as the beat Castres 30-21.

Later, Ronan O’Gara’s struggling La Rochelle head to Stade Francais looking to bounce back after also recording two Champions Cup losses and France skipper Dupont leads Toulouse against Toulon in front of a sold-out Le Stadium.

Former New Zealand lock Sam Whitelock remains sidelined with concussion for Pau as this season's surprise packages host Clermont.

On Friday, Congolese winger Madosh Tambwe crossed for his second try of the campaign to send Bordeaux-Begles to second in the standings thanks to a 46-10 win over Lyon.

D.Findlay--EWJ

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

English Woman's Journal - Racing and Kolisi cruise past Oyonnax to extend Top 14 lead