Pro D2: Oyonnax set the pace as Round 5 reshapes the standings

The fifth round of the French Pro D2 delivered plenty of attacking rugby, several convincing victories and a few important results in the race for the playoff positions. Oyonnax continued their impressive start to the season with a high-scoring victory over Nevers, while Brive and Provence Rugby maintained their unbeaten records.

A total of 469 points were scored across the eight matches, averaging approximately 59 points per game. All eight fixtures produced a winner, with no draws, highlighting an attacking round in which every winning team managed at least 24 points.

Oyonnax continue to dominate

Oyonnax have made an impressive start to the campaign, establishing themselves as early favourites for the title. Their attacking consistency has been a major factor in their success, with five consecutive victories demonstrating their ability to deliver results against different opposition. Their 56-point performance against Nevers further highlighted their attacking depth and ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities. Defensively, however, conceding 35 points suggests there is still room for improvement, particularly as they prepare to face stronger opposition later in the season. With a two-point cushion at the top of the table and the league's best points difference, Oyonnax will be keen to maintain their momentum and strengthen their position as the competition progresses.

Béziers provide one of the round's biggest surprises

Béziers entered the Languedoc derby under considerable pressure following a difficult opening to their campaign. Having suffered defeats to Oyonnax, Nice and Montauban in their first four fixtures, their only victory had come by a single point against Nevers. Their defensive struggles were particularly evident, having conceded 144 points in those opening matches. However, Béziers produced a much-needed response against local rivals Narbonne, securing a 34–24 victory to claim their second win of the season. The result not only provided a significant morale boost but also lifted them four places in the standings, offering renewed hope that they could turn their season around under head coach Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Brive edge ahead of Provence Rugby

Brive's victory over Colomiers was particularly impressive given their strong start to the campaign. Having won all five of their opening fixtures, Brive have established themselves as serious contenders for the title and remain one of only three unbeaten teams in the competition. Their attacking performances have been a major factor in their success, with 41 points against Colomiers further highlighting their ability to score heavily. Although level on points with Provence Rugby, Brive's superior points difference has moved them into second place, putting them in a strong position as they look to challenge Oyonnax for the top spot.

Dax deliver a statement victory

Dax's victory was an important result as they look to establish themselves as genuine contenders for a playoff position. Having won three of their opening five fixtures, Dax have shown signs of consistency, with their 45-point performance against Nice demonstrating their attacking potential. The convincing win also improved their points difference, which could prove valuable as the competition progresses. For Nice, however, the defeat highlighted their ongoing struggles, having now lost four of their first five matches. Sitting in 14th place, Nice will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and find greater consistency in attack if they are to move away from the bottom end of the table.

Nevers still searching for their first win

Nevers' difficult start to the season continued following another disappointing result against the league leaders. Having lost all five of their opening fixtures, Nevers have struggled to find consistency, particularly defensively, where they have conceded 30 points or more in several matches. Despite showing attacking potential by scoring 35 points against Oyonnax, their inability to contain the league's most in-form side ultimately proved costly. With just four points and sitting at the bottom of the standings, Nevers face increasing pressure to secure their first victory and prevent the gap between themselves and the rest of the competition from widening.

What to watch in the coming rounds

The early standings suggest three developing battles in the competition:

The race for first place: Oyonnax, Brive and Provence Rugby remain unbeaten. Their ability to maintain consistency, particularly in difficult away fixtures, will be a major factor in deciding who establishes control of the league.

The playoff race: Biarritz, Soyaux-Angoulême, Grenoble and Dax are all positioned to challenge for the top six. With only a few points separating several sides, consecutive wins could significantly change the standings.

The fight to avoid the bottom: Nevers, Agen, Nice and Colomiers will be looking to recover from disappointing results. With the season still in its early stages, there is time to climb the table, but sustained losing runs could become difficult to overcome.