Pro D2· Season 2026
Oyonnax overturned a 21-10 half-time deficit to beat Béziers 31-21 in the Pro D2 season opener, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Oyonnax drew first blood when Thomas Vincent landed a penalty in the third minute. The visitors extended their lead when Karim Qadiri crossed for a try in the 16th minute, with Vincent adding the conversion for a 10-0 advantage.
Béziers responded emphatically. Full-back Jordon Janse Van Rensburg touched down in the 20th minute, fly-half Joseph Laharrague scored two minutes later, and No. 8 Sias Koen powered over in the 28th minute — all three tries converted by Victor Dreuille. That burst of 21 points inside nine minutes flipped the score from 0-10 to 21-10 and appeared to have Béziers in full control at the break.
But Oyonnax came out for the second half with renewed purpose. Louis Morland scored an early try in the 51st minute, converted by Vincent (21-17). The turning point arrived in the 57th minute: Béziers flanker Clément Ancely was shown a yellow card, and Oyonnax capitalised immediately with a try from the resulting pressure. Vincent converted to put the visitors ahead (21-24), and they never looked back.
Oyonnax added a fourth try in the final quarter to seal the result, with Vincent's conversion completing a 31-21 scoreline. The visitors had trailed by 11 at the break but dominated the second half.
The turning point
Ancely's yellow card in the 57th minute proved decisive. Up to that point Béziers were still within striking distance at 21-17, but playing 10 minutes a man down against an Oyonnax pack that had already established scrum superiority was a deficit they could not absorb. Oyonnax scored twice during the sin-bin period to take control.
Key performers
Thomas Vincent (Oyonnax) — The fly-half dictated the comeback. He finished with 16 points (one penalty, four conversions) and controlled field position from hand and tee. His composure in the second half was the difference.
Sias Koen (Béziers) — The South African No. 8 was a force in the first 40 minutes, scoring a try and carrying hard. Less influential after the break as Oyonnax's pack took over.
Victor Dreuille (Béziers) — Perfect off the tee with three conversions from three, but could not stop the tide after half-time.
Louis Morland (Oyonnax) — His try early in the second half breathed life into the visitors' comeback.
Player of the match: Thomas Vincent.
By the numbers — interpreted
Both sides scored three tries each in the TNT Sports summary, but Oyonnax's superior conversion rate (4 from 4 in the fuller stat panel, plus a penalty) told the story of their second-half dominance in territory and discipline. Béziers' three first-half tries showed they could breach Oyonnax's line, but after the break they barely threatened. The yellow card count (Béziers 2, Oyonnax 1) reflected the home side's growing desperation as the game slipped away.
What it means
Oyonnax, who finished fourth in the regular season last year and reached the play-off semi-finals, begin the new campaign with a crucial away victory — a hallmark of their promotion-contending credentials. Béziers, who finished 12th in 2025-26, will rue the 10-minute spell that undid their strong first-half work.
Next up: Béziers travel to face Narbonne on 4 September 2026. Oyonnax host Aurillac on 3 September 2026.
Verdict
Béziers showed they can live with top-half opposition for 40 minutes, but Oyonnax's class — and Vincent's boot — told in the end. If the visitors can sustain this second-half intensity across the season, they look well placed to challenge for the top six again.
Rivalry since 2021
Beziers vs US Oyonnax Head to Head Results· 8
Beziers and US Oyonnax have met 8 times — Beziers won 2, US Oyonnax won 5, with 1 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2021. US Oyonnax leads the head-to-head with 5 victories from 8 meetings. A combined 342 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 42.75 per match (130 for the home side, 212 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 8 matches (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 8 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 35–24 in 2025.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 29 Aug 2026