Angouleme vs Colomiers

The match pivoted decisively inside five manic minutes just past the hour mark. Colomiers replacement Myles Edwards was shown a yellow card for an off-the-ball infringement (55'), and Angoulême pounced immediately.

From the resulting penalty, Costa took a quick tap and powered over untouched (56'). Bergès converted to level at 23-23. Within two minutes, a perfectly executed lineout drive saw Meïté burrow over in the corner (58'), giving Angoulême their first lead at 28-23.

Colomiers briefly stabilised through a Debaes penalty (59') to make it 28-26, but Robin Bellemand's yellow card for a high tackle on Kaminieli Rasaku (64') left the visitors down to 14 again. Costa sealed the result with his second try (70'), finishing through the middle after multiple phases near the line, and Benjamin Botica's penalty (77') put the result beyond doubt.

Lucas Costa (Angoulême) — Player of the Match: The replacement back-rower scored two second-half tries (56', 70') that swung the game. His quick tap from Edwards' yellow card was the tactical catalyst that turned the match.

Mamoudou Meïté (Angoulême): The hooker scored a crucial try (58') and was a relentless presence in set-piece and loose play, winning multiple turnovers in the second half.

Théo Lachaud (Colomiers): A brace inside 17 minutes (8', 17') gave Colomiers a dream start. His attacking work at hooker was the standout element of the visitors' first-half performance.

Thibault Debaes (Colomiers): Kicked 11 points (1 conversion, 3 penalties) and orchestrated much of Colomiers' first-half dominance, but could not prevent the second-half collapse.

This was Round 1 of the 2026-2027 Pro D2 season, and both sides entered the campaign with contrasting ambitions. Angoulême, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, will be buoyed by this comeback win as they look to establish themselves in mid-table. Colomiers, traditionally a play-off contender, will rue a second half where indiscipline — two yellow cards and a raft of penalties — undid a controlled first 40 minutes.

In other Round 1 action, Biarritz opened the season with a 36-5 demolition of Nice, signalling early intent.

• 14: Points Colomiers conceded while reduced to 14 men in the second half (Edwards yellow 55', Bellemand yellow 64').
• 3: Yellow cards shown in a chaotic 10-minute spell from the 55th to 64th minute, all to Colomiers or Angoulême's pack.
• 16-20: Half-time scoreline in Colomiers' favour — the visitors scored three tries in the first half but could not maintain their intensity after the break.
• 4: Tries for Angoulême, all scored by forwards (Levron at scrum-half, Costa x2, Meïté), reflecting their pack dominance after half-time.

Angoulême start the season with a valuable four-try bonus-point victory, collecting five points from their opening fixture. Colomiers leave empty-handed despite a promising first-half display, without even a defensive bonus point. Angoulême travel to Béziers in Round 2, while Colomiers face Provence Rugby at home.

Angoulême's second-half response was the story of the match — a demonstration of how set-piece dominance and patience can overcome a first-half deficit. Colomiers will be left wondering what might have been had they kept 15 men on the field. If Angoulême can replicate this second-half intensity, they could exceed expectations this season.