Mont-de-Marsan flanker Leo Banos showed off his talent with the ball at his feet, producing a piece of skill his legendary footballing namesake would have been proud of.
Facing Colomiers on Thursday night, fly-half Willie du Plessis launched a huge ‘up and under’ which was drifting towards the left touchline.
With the ball appearing set to go out, Banos deftly lifted his right foot and kicked it past the home side’s cover defence to score.
The touch was sublime as he brilliantly managed to control a difficult ball which enabled him to cross the whitewash to the bemusement of the Colomiers’ defence.
🤌 The first touch from Leo Banos! Wow! 😲pic.twitter.com/8e801i12PZ
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 31, 2023
It was a crucial score for Mont-de-Marsan as they moved 23-13 ahead with just 17 minutes remaining.
Although the hosts scored a try late on to rescue a losing bonus-point, Banos’ effort would prove crucial as his side went away with a 26-23 triumph.
Those types of skills are usually reserved for the backs and particularly the fly-halves, with Racing 92’s Finn Russell usually the person at the centre of it.
In 2019, one of Russell’s most memorable moments saw him nutmeg Munster’s Simon Zebo on the way to scoring a brilliantly cheeky try at Thomond Park.
The only man who can purposely nutmeg a defender with a grubber 🤯@BathRugby are getting a BALLER next season in @Finn_Russell 🔥#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/ZJeg26r7gD
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 20, 2022
Banos may not quite have the extensive repertoire of Russell just yet, but he will remember this for a long time.
The flanker has enjoyed a tremendous couple of seasons for Mont-de-Marsan, and his talent has been recognised by French giants Toulouse, who have moved to snap him up as cover during the Rugby World Cup.
The win means that Mont-de-Marsan remains in the top three of the PRO D2 after 26 rounds.
Oyonnax are clear front runners with nearly a 20-point buffer at the top of the table, but the race for playoff places and possible promotion to the Top 14 remains tight.
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