Racing open new stadium with victory over Toulouse

Racing 92 climbed to second in the Top 14 with a 23-19 victory over Toulouse on Friday, in their first match at the newly constructed U Arena in Paris.

Tries from Wenceslas Lauret and Virimi Vakatawa helped the hosts open up a sizeable lead, but the boot of Thomas Ramos kept Toulouse alive at 20-9 at half-time.

Yoann Huget crossed to give the visitors hope early in the second half, and Ramos’ conversion reduced the deficit to four with half an hour still to play.

However, Teddy Iribaren split the posts for his third penalty of the match to keep Toulouse at arm’s length and one more successful Ramos penalty was not enough to trouble the Racing lead.

The result leaves Racing level on points with Montpellier, who host Lyon on Saturday, while Toulouse go fifth with a losing bonus point.

The 32,000 capacity U Arena replaces Racing’s former Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir home.