Pau (France) (AFP) – Pau, a little less impacted by the first false double of the season and injuries than Toulouse, remained master of the Hameau by bringing down the leader of the Top 14 (34-14) on Sunday at the end of the 8th day.

Published on: 01/11/2026 - 23:25

The clash on paper between the undisputed number 1 in French rugby and the rising Béarnaise did not reach the heights of the game but the main thing was elsewhere for the Section which needed to find itself again after its rout in Toulon.

By relying on its executives, notably foreigners, who have not yet gone to the selections, it showed itself overall to be superior to the Haut-Garonnais who were never able to completely cover their initial outlay (14-0) and gave in for the second time after their setback at the start of the season in La Rochelle.

In the standings, the Béarnais find the podium two lengths behind their victim of the evening and one behind Bordeaux-Bègles, the trio for the start of the season (6 victories, 2 defeats for the three).

Housed in almost the same boat as UBB, the other major provider of French internationals, with five players protected at Marcoussis for each camp but with an infirmary which extends further onto the banks of the Garonne, Palois and Toulousains counted the present to register 23 players on the match sheet.

With motivation and a superior desire to enter the green and white side.

Isa was everywhere

Except in the scrum, the four-time French champion initially played backwards during the first act, like his touch, his footwork lacking precision, and the Section took advantage of this with in particular two sequences of +pick-and-go+ rewarded by Facundo Isa (7th), also very prominent in scratching, and Tumua Manu (12th).

The Béarnaise grip loosened slightly due to the indiscipline of Sébastien Piqueronies' players who lost two players to yellow cards before the break and above all conceded a try to Thomas Lacombre, the only professional heel available (17-7, 40th+1).

This close score had the gift of reversing the confidence on the restart, seeing Toulouse more incisive and opportunistic like Lukas Amati who recovered a hazardous deflection from Joe Simmonds and dribbled all the way to the try (48th).

The return from penance of captain Beka Gorgadze reinvigorated his colors and on the first real foray into the 22 meters after Anthony Jelonch's exit due to concussion - he did not respond to protocol - the Argentinian Isa fiercely extricated himself from a maul to score a double (24-14, 58th).

The cumulative returns at the hour of play of Paul Mallez at the heel and Cyril Baille as the throwing pillar on the touchline did not allow Ugo Mola's men to catch up with the Béarnais wagon.

Worse, their sovereign scrum until then faltered twice, including one in an ideal position for Simmonds' boot (73rd).

Protected from a comeback, Pau shot one last arrow with Gorgadze finishing a fine job accomplished before joining his selection.

© 2026 AFP

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