Racing 92 vs. Ulster Rugby - Top Performers

Racing 92 claimed all five points at the La Defense Arena tonight in Paris as they saw off a stern Ulster challenge with a second half attacking masterclass.

Tries from Iribaren, Lauret, Imhoff, Thomas and Zebo helped secure the maximum return to send the Top 14 outfit to the top of Pool 4.

Ulster started the game with real impetus taking an early 12-3 lead before back row Nick Timoney saw yellow for an illegal clear out which shifted the balance in the favour of the Parisians at the interval.

The home side powered away from their Irish counterparts in the second forty. Argentinian flyer Juan Imhoff got the host team off to the perfect start cutting a brilliant line to dot down under the sticks. Two further tries from the returning Teddy Thomas and Irishman Simon Zebo put some gloss on the final result.

Olivier Klemenczak

The Frenchman was on fire at outside centre today and picked up the MOTM award as a result. A real threat in broken field, he managed to set up Imhoff’s try with a sumptuous step and offload to put the winger in under the posts. He and Will Addison went back and forth all day, making a couple of linebreaks each and beating numerous defenders. However, as Racing came away with a convincing victory it will be their number 13’s performance that will be talked about for the next few weeks.

Finn Russell

The Scottish maestro really seems to have found a home away from home in the UArena with Racing. The artificial pitch really suits his expansive and flamboyant game, which was certainly on show this evening. He was the general today, moving his side around the field with deft passes and accurate kicks in behind. His kicking at goal was impeccable and his mastery was on show in the build up to Teddy Thomas try, which will be shown throughout the season. First the little chip ahead before collecting it himself, then the clear-headedness and composure to draw the final man and give the perfect pass inside for the score.

Marcell Coetzee

A number of Ulster’s players put in gallant efforts in Paris today. None more so than their blindside flanker. The South African was everywhere for the full 80 minutes, putting up some impressive stats in the process. His 20 tackles were far and away the most by anyone on the pitch, whilst he also had time to threaten with ball in hand, carrying 16 times for a gain of 46m and beating 4 defenders in the process. Ulster’s defeat today was most definitely not due to a lack of effort from the number 6.