The revival of the BO, Marquès confirms and Nice discovers the championship the hard way… Here are 5 important points to summarize these first 5 days of the PRO D2 season. 

1. The revival of the BO

Having come close to the red zone last year and faced with a lot of internal movement, the Basques had a hectic season . Moreover, one of the questions during this recovery was whether the BO would experience a revival? At the end of this first block, we can say that the answer is yes. Indeed, the men of the new coach Boris Bouhraoua are ranked first and have a record of 4 wins in 5 matches . They even came close to invincibility without a blunder at Sapiac on the 4th day. Biarritz is a homogeneous group that has created an osmosis between experienced players. Acebès, Faasalele or Dakuwaqa get on wonderfully with young talents like Germain, Retiere and others like Fariscot . The Biarritz players are capable, what's more, of producing both aesthetic rugby and responding to the toughest battles. The BO is clearly the team of the start of the year. 

2. Less prolific but more exciting

After 5 rounds, the PRO D2 shows a different face than last year. Compared to the overall stats, those from this start of the season suggest that the defenses are sharper and the movements much more fruitful . At the same time, 1841 points had been scored during the previous edition against 1799 currently . However, the 400 point mark on a day had not been crossed. A total that was beaten on the 3rd day while it was necessary to wait until the 26th before to see the counters soar. Clear difference with regard to away matches showing a convincing 38% of victories against 19% over the whole of last season. As for indiscipline, the average is significantly higher with 2.1 cards per match compared to 1.8 in 2023-2024 and the defenses are still tackling as much with an average of 231 tackles per match compared to 237 last season.  

3. Marques continues his momentum

Named best player in PRO D2 during the rugby night, Samuel Marquès could very well be his own successor. With Béziers, he is already laying the foundations for a great season. The Portuguese international scrum-half is at the top of the league's best scorers ranking (56 points) with 14 penalties and 8 conversions. Driven by a spirit of revenge, after the elimination in Vannes in the semi-finals, this member of the squad wants to bring his team back to the forefront. For the moment, things seem to be going well, with ASBH being 3rd in the ranking . 

4. A hooker steals the show again

It almost seems like a competition. For several seasons, the hookers of each team have been stealing the show from the wingers in the championship. Last year, it was the Burgundy Elia Elia who was at the top of the scorers' ranking with 5 points and this time the Brive player, Lucas Da Silva, has taken over . The former Stade Français player is even doing better than his Nevers counterpart since he has found himself in the opposing end zone 6 times . Oyonnax, SAXV, Aurillac, Nevers and Mont-de-Marsan have paid the price, often following a devastating maul. The fatal weapon of the Corréziens, best attack in PRO D2 (131 points) , at the start of the championship.

5. Nice, learning the hard way 

The Azuréens are discovering the PRO D2 and it is happening the hard way. Last despite a prestigious success won at Armandie , the Niçois then recorded 3 losses in a row including two at home. Patience however for the former National champion who necessarily needs to acclimatize to the harshness of this division. The Stadistes can, in any case, count on a good squad still in the running-in stage composed of big names such as Taufa, Charlat or Murday and the dynamism brought by players such as Paul Auradou or Arthur Vignolles .