Three teams, La Rochelle and Toulon qualified in the first place for the top six… Results of the 25th day
After this unprecedented situation where no team is officially guaranteed to finish in the top six two days before the end of the regular season, we now know the names of the first three qualifiers: Montpellier, Union Bordeaux, Bigley and Castres, and they are at least guaranteed to play a playoff at home.
The first to get his ticket beat Racing 92 (22-13). MHR will attempt to retain its leading position in a fortnight on the Clermont meadow, and has not yet been athletically disqualified from the race for playoffs thanks to his improved success snatched at Biarritz Park (26-8), even if it seems more than improbable (improved victory for Clermont, defeat for Lyon). against La Rochelle, the defeat of Toulon against Racing and above all the defeat of Toulouse at home … against Biarritz)
On the Atlantic coast, the UBB got back on track against Lyon (42-10) following Matthew Gallibert, author of two attempts, after two European weeks where they saw the return of most absentees (Betty, Golems, Virginias, Marais Tmifna…). But to keep their place on the first two, the Bordelais will have plenty of work to do in a fortnight in the hostile atmosphere of the Aimé-Giral stadium in Perpignan.
The Catalans caused a lot of problems in Castres on Sunday despite the defeat (28-12). However, they risk developing without their international full-back Melvin Jamenet, who was knocked out very early in the game with a knee injury, and who may have played his last minutes in a Perpignan shirt before leaving for Toulouse. For their part, Custer is moving to FC Pau, who are no longer playing anything at the end of the season and will therefore have to hope for a foul on one of the two leaders.
Top 6: La Rochelle grabbed and Toulon the rope
Jean-Christophe Sonalt / Southwest
While Toulouse almost finished qualifying for the playoffs thanks to a victory in the Privé (8-26) and a recent affordable game against Biarritz at home, the last two folding seats will be contested between four teams: Stade Rochelais, Lyon, Racing 92 and Toulon. And to add even more “drama” to this last day of the regular season, these squads face off in a real “round of 16”: Lou welcomes the Maritimes while Team Toulonnais moves on the artificial grass at Paris La Defense Raceway 92.
If La Rochelle beat Stade Francis on five points despite a largely reformed team (32-13), and Toulon, who largely dominated Pau with the bonus (37-20), were in better dynamics, they would have no advantage. At home he played last week in the European Cup final in a row against Leinster and … Lyon. The outcome of this European result is likely to have a significant impact on the morale of the troops ahead of this crucial final match.
Top 14. Bao, not ridiculous, but not on the level
Defeats three weeks ago against Racing, and Saturday in Toulon, prove how far the division is still far from contending with the top six members. It’s even more realistic in the heart of Money Time where everyone is vying to qualify.
Weekend Fact: The complicated situation of the Toulouse player a lot in Brive
During the meeting between Brive and Toulouse on Saturday evening, Rouge and Noire found themselves for a few seconds in the second half with an additional player on the field.
In the 72nd minute of this match, while Toulouse Stadium was playing outnumbered after the red card received by the New Zealand right columnist Charlie Fomoena from the 17th minute, the French champion found himself at 15 on the field after confusion in the substitutions. Three Toulouse players came into play and only two went out and this “extra figure” lasted for fourteen seconds without being noticed by the jury or meeting delegate, unlike the Brave bench who immediately allowed it to happen.
First, CAB filed a complaint on Sunday morning with the NRL (National Rugby League) before finally withdrawing it during the day.
Advertiser: “I let myself get overwhelmed with emotion”
While these last two days of the Top 14 were the last moments of their careers for many players, Montpellier’s emblematic third streak Fulgens Ouedraogo was overtaken by emotion for what was perhaps his last game at the GGL Stadium (except for the volley).
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