Fernandez grasps Lyon opportunity as Racing fall short

Patricio Fernandez kicked 19 points as Lyon battled to a 29-20 victory over Racing 92 in the Top 14 on Sunday.

Second-place Lyon responded to losing a top-of-the-table clash to Bordeaux Begles last time out, with Fernandez chosen to play at fly-half in place of Jonathan Wisniewski in response to that defeat.

The number 10 slotted five penalties and added the extras to tries from Xavier Mignot and Baptiste Couilloud to justify that decision, with Lyon now four points behind Bordeaux.

Racing made life difficult for the hosts at the Stade de Gerland and took the lead when Yoan Tanga Mangene went over after 20 minutes, while Francois Trinh Duc’s score set up a frantic finish before Fernandez’s three-pointer four minutes from the end.

#TOP14 #LOUR92 | J16

80′ |C’est terminé à Gerland ! @LeLOURugby
s’impose face au @racing92 pic.twitter.com/ea9bGFwega

— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) February 23, 2020

Last season’s champions Toulouse outclassed Montpellier 25-7 at home in Sunday’s other fixture.

Zack Holmes, Pierre Pages, Lucas Tauzin and Matthis Lebel all grabbed tries for the home side, with Nemani Nadolo responding for Montpellier.

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