Rampant Racing show Champions Cup intentions

Last season's beaten finalists Racing 92 took a big step towards the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a convincing 36-26 win over Leicester Tigers on Sunday. The ambitious French side secured a bonus point after less than 35 minutes as their backs ran riot on La Defense Arena's artificial pitch. Ireland international Simon Zebo was among the five Racing try-scorers. Leicester responded with four tries of their own, including one from returning England centre Manu Tuilagi, as they also picked up a valuable bonus point. Tigers interim head coach Geordan Murphy bemoaned his side's poor penalty count. "We had 20 minutes with 14 men and that hurts," he said. "It was hugely disappointing we were at the wrong end of the penalty count in Europe. We have the best disciplinary record in the Premiership. We have to work on that. "Disappointed we couldn’t get more from the game but you’ll take a point," the former Ireland international added. Murphy praised the opposition's clinical try-scoring ability. "We conceded a couple of tries too easily. Racing are a quality side and when they got five metres from our goal line they certainly managed to execute," he said. Racing are now five points clear at the top of Pool 4. The players were protected from the rain in Paris by the roof of the arena and the surface favoured the quick heels of the Racing backs. Scotland fly-half Finn Russell was at his influential best throughout the 80 minutes asking questions of the Tigers' defence every time he had the ball in his hands. France three-quarter Virimi Vakatawa opened the scoring within the opening 10 minutes, crashing over after Tuilagi had been shown a yellow card for cynically knocking a Russell pass down. It was Vakatawa's ninth try in 10 matches this season. Tuilagi's absence allowed Racing to create an overlap shortly after, resulting in Argentina winger Juan Imhoff going over in the corner. The visitors reacted positively despite being down to 14, scrum-half Ben White picking out Wales international Jonah Holmes who dived over unopposed. Russell created the hosts’ third try with a skilful offload out of the back of his hand straight to winger Zebo. The Irishman scored his 25th try in European competition - only the 11th player to reach the mark in more than 20 years. Imhoff was denied a second try on the half-hour mark as France's Brice Dulin made a break from his own half and kicked the ball ahead but the Pumas winger failed to ground the ball from his own grubber kick. The bonus point came after 33 minutes as openside flanker Baptiste Chouzenoux crashed over from short-range despite Tuilagi’s defensive efforts. With Leicester number eight Sione Kalafamoni diving over from a ruck two minutes from the break, Racing only turned around with a 26-14 lead. - Ben Arous concern - The opening moments of the second 40 minutes were marred by what appeared to be a serious neck injury to Racing prop Eddy Ben Arous who was taken to hospital for scans after a collision with Tigers front-rower Ellis Genge. The two-time former champions attempted to claw themselves back into the game, Tuilagi looping around flanker Michael Fitzgerald to cross in the corner. They were down to 14 men for a second time on the 50 minute mark as England prop Genge was penalised at a scrum by Nigel Owens. Russell slotted an easy penalty to give his side a 10-point cushion with half an hour remaining. Russell was instrumental once again for Racing's fifth try. The Scotland international broke free to run half the length of the pitch before being brought down five metres short. Centre Olivier Klemenczak gathered the ball well from the resulting ruck to score and Russell was successful with the touchline conversion. Leicester still weren't finished as George Ford conjured up a try for substitute Guy Thompson but they couldn't close the gap any further. Racing moved a step closer to the last eight although Leicester will be looking for swift revenge when the two teams meet again at Welford Road next weekend.