Top 14: La Rochelle and UBB can no longer do it, Pau continues

Four matches were on the multiplex program for the 16th day of Top 14 this Saturday. Beaten by Perpignan (27-15), Stade Rochelais suffered a second consecutive defeat after that against Lyon last weekend (28-17). Already the author of 19 points against Stade Français, Perpignan fullback Tommaso Allan once again showed his talent.

Author of a try and a five out of five against the poles, the Italian international allowed the Catalans to win, against La Rochelle (27-15): a valuable improved success in the fight for maintenance.

Uninspired offensively, Ronan O'Gara's players only existed thanks to the 15 points from opener Antoine Hastoy. They remain stuck in ninth place, five points from the qualifying places.

The Bordeaux-Bègles Union can no longer do it either. Yannick Bru's men were heavily defeated in Castres (41-12), at the Pierre-Fabre stadium. Improved success for the CO which is provisionally on the podium (3rd), behind Stade Français and Toulouse. UBB falls to 4th place.

In this fight for the final stages, Pau made its return to the Top 6 after its victory against Toulon (17-9). Despite the return of international full-back Melvyn Jaminet to the Var starting XV, Pierre Mignoni's players conceded a third consecutive defeat.

Finally, the LOU scored a second consecutive victory by beating the red lantern Oyonnax (43-26). An improved success, enough to give some air to the bottom of the ranking since the Lyonnais moved up to 10th place.