Pau – June 13, 2026: At a packed Stade du Hameau (Pau), Section Paloise and Racing 92 clashed in the Top 14 playoff game on Saturday night to decide who advances. Local Pau finished the regular season in 4th place, while the Paris team was 5th. Both teams fought for a spot in the semifinals, where the top-ranked Stade Toulousain awaits.
The match started at a high pace. Within 5 minutes, Paris playmaker Alexandre Givernet successfully kicked a 30-meter penalty to score the first points. Soon after, Joe Simmons brought Pau level at 3-3 with a penalty kick from nearly the same distance.
At the 20-minute mark, Racing 92 made a decisive move. From a quick attack, winger Viliami Havosi finished off a precise pass from Givernet to score a try. Captain Givernet also succeeded with the conversion kick, extending Paris’s lead to 10-3.
Pau tried to fight back, but Racing’s defense remained solid. Around the 35th minute, powerful number eight Tiué Uanivi scored a try from a scrum, with Givernet reliably adding the extras. Racing 92 ended the first half with a substantial lead.
In the second half, Pau came on even stronger. At 50 minutes, center Emiliano Gaillet broke through the defense following a fast pass from Joe Simmons to score a try. Simmons converted, narrowing the gap to 17-10 and bringing hope to the home team.
However, Racing 92 kept their composure. From a counterattack at 65 minutes, Jérémy Spring created the path, and captain Hugo Cénousse secured a try. Givernet extended the score to 24-10. At 75 minutes, Pau’s Gaillet scored again to close in at 24-17, but near the end of the game at the 80th minute, Givernet successfully kicked a penalty, setting the final score at 27-17.
This victory secured Racing 92’s advancement to the Top 14 semifinals, where they will face the favorite Stade Toulousain on June 19. The Paris team has established itself as a serious title contender through consistent league performance and this playoff win.
Although defeated, Section Paloise are content with their season. Their first playoff appearance in 26 years proved that Béarnais can compete at the highest level and remain a formidable presence in French rugby moving forward.