Perpignan survive relegation for fifth straight year with emphatic 47-24 rout of Provence

USA Perpignan retained their Top 14 place for a fifth successive season, defeating Provence 47-24 in the relegation play-off at Stade Maurice-David to end Philippe Saint-André’s side’s promotion hopes once again.

The opening quarter produced no points as both teams probed for an advantage, but the contest’s first major flashpoint came when Perpignan prop Giorgi Tetrashvili was sin-binned for a high tackle. Provence capitalised immediately, with No.8 Tornike Jalagonia finishing off a clever lineout move for the opening try. Lock and captain Andrès Zafra Tarazona added a second, though Manuel Vareiro failed to convert either score.

Perpignan’s situation worsened further when hooker Sam Malolo was shown an orange card, yet the Catalan club responded with a rapid two-try burst from Peceli Yato and winger Theo Forner. When Zafra Tarazona was himself sent to the sin-bin, Tommaso Allan converted to give Perpignan a four-point lead at the break.

Saint-André sought to revive Provence’s belief at half-time, but Perpignan were ruthless in the second half, scoring 14 points in under ten minutes through Pumas back-rower Joaquin Oviedo and a second try from Yato. Centre Setareki Bituniyata’s yellow card compounded Provence’s misery, and although Léo Drouet pulled one back for the home side, Ignacio Ruiz crossed for Perpignan’s fifth try to effectively seal the contest.

Bituniyata did add a fourth try for Provence in the closing stages, but Oviedo and Jerónimo de la Fuente each scored late to complete a comprehensive Perpignan victory and confirm the final scoreline of 47-24.

Elsewhere in the promotion picture, RC Vannes claimed the Pro D2 title with an 18-14 win over Provence Rugby at a packed Stade Ernest-Wallon, meaning the Brittany club will return to the Top 14 next season. For Provence, the wait for top-flight rugby extends to at least another year.