Last regular season match this year for Stade Niçois. The Azuréens have prepared in the best possible way for the semi-finals by beating Dijon.
Stade Niçois reunited with its fans for the reception of Dijon (10th). A match serving as a launching pad for the championship semi-final scheduled for next week. For the visit of the Burgundians, many players were rested, including Jeronimo Negrotto, Agustin Ormaechea, and Matthew James.
Helped by an ultra-dominant scrum, the Niçois quickly took the lead in this match. The set-piece was clean, and young flanker Louis Suaud managed to score a powerful try from a devastating rolling maul (5-0, 9th minute). Facing the wind, the Dijon players were very spirited, but they encountered excellent defense from the Niçois. The Azuréens even took advantage of a counterattack to launch Augustin Slowik. The winger broke down his right side before passing back inside to Lionel Mapoe. The South African international center fought his way to plant his team’s second try (12-0, 20th minute).
Stade Niçois executed their game plan efficiently. After a well-captured lineout, the backs came into action. The ball arrived in the hands of Julien Caminati. The fullback kicked the ball ahead, and Slowik was the quickest in the race. The winger scored the third try for his team, securing the bonus point (17-0, 24th minute). But Stade Dijonnais did not come to be an easy victim. The Burgundians continued to play expansive rugby, and it eventually paid off. The visitors worked their way up more than 60 meters with the ball in hand. Winger Elie Jeune closed the gap with a final inside step (17-5, 33rd minute). At halftime, Stade Niçois was heading towards another victory.
Julien Caminati banned from final phases
With the wind at their backs, Stade Dijonnais started the second half at full throttle. Hooker Lucas Marijon crossed the line after a perfectly orchestrated rolling maul (17-12, 47th minute). A few minutes later, things went awry. Caminati received a red card for an elbow fending off. Despite being down a man, the Azuréens remained resilient. After a well-claimed lineout, the rolling maul advanced. Second row Geoffrey Fabbri scored the fourth try for the home team. With Simon Ricquebourg’s conversion, the Niçois could breathe (24-12, 55th minute).
Being a man up, Stade Dijonnais clung to their game. Still playing expansively, the visitors again made a difference after several phases of play. Center Alban Conduche broke through several defenders to score his team’s third try (24-19, 61st minute). The two teams traded blows. After several scrums 5 meters from the visitors’ try line, the Niçois finally managed to create some breathing room. Freshman Martin Freytes scored the home team’s fifth try (31-19, 71st minute). But Dijon struck back again. Young Maxime Vilo, perfectly set on the right wing, scored a new try (31-24, 75th minute).
Despite some scares, Stade Niçois clawed out another home victory (31-24). The Azuréens will host Narbonne next week to try to qualify for Prod2. However, coaches David Bolgashvili and Martin Jagr’s team will have to cope without Julien Caminati, who is likely to be suspended for this potentially historic club match.
Reaction:
Paul Champin (scrum-half for Stade Niçois): “We wanted to finish on a high note. It was a difficult match. In the first half, we didn’t accelerate enough. We were leading by 12 points at the break, but it wasn’t enough considering the wind. We knew Dijon was going to play a lot. They have a very good squad. The end of the match got more complicated, being down to 14. We are ready for the final phases and have been for a while. Today, we made a small squad rotation, and it was essential for the freshness of the group. We will try to prepare well for next week’s match to achieve our promotion goal. We have a big history with Narbonne. Our victory over there last year made a lot of noise. Our defeat this season against them leaves a bitter memory, especially with the injury to James Lasis. We are eager to face them again. We will give it our all to secure promotion.”
