Owen Farrell’s Racing 92 career got off to a losing start, falling to a 31-28 defeat to Castres in the opening round of the Top 14.
The former England captain scored eight of Racing’s points in the defeat, slotting four conversions, but it was not enough as the heroics of winger Christian Ambadiang steered Castres to victory.
Max Spring denied
After going behind early in the fixture through a Jeremy Fernandez penalty, Racing 92 replied in a sterling fashion as they shifted the ball wide from just outside their 22 as Sam James and Max Spring sped into space, the latter sending Henry Arundell away for their first try of the season.
Castres replied 10 minutes later when Gael Fickou was in the sin bin as Fijian legend Leone Nakawara scored from close range. A Romain Taofifenua score followed by another Fernandez penalty meant that Racing held a narrow 14-13 lead at the break.
Early in the second half, Spring looked to have swung the momentum firmly into Racing 92’s favour when he expertly picked off a Geoffrey Palis pass inside his own 22.
Renowned for his pace, Spring looked destined to score with no one in front of him as he sped over the halfway line.
However, Ambadiang did not give in and sprinted from the opposite touchline as he went in pursuit of the Racing 92 fullback. The Castres winger’s efforts were rewarded as he made an epic tackle on Spring and denied the fullback a sure try.
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Tackle of the season already decided.
pic.twitter.com/NRFKUcU535
— Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) September 8, 2024
Ambadiang’s heroics
That moment proved to be pivotal as Castres had their tails up and attacked from their own tryline. A smart kick caught Racing 92 off guard and after a poor clearance from Farrrell, the hosts attacked deep into the visitors’ 22.
Eventually, forward Tyler Ardron powered over the line and opened up a 26-14 lead with 30 minutes left to play. However, a moment of brilliance from Josua Tuisova set up a try for Henry Chavancy and, with Maxime Baudonne grabbing another for the visitors, they looked to have clinched the win.
But moments later Ambadiang proved to be the hero once again as received the ball out wide from Vilimoni Botitu and shrugged off the tackle of Tuisova and dived over the line to seal an epic win for Castres.
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