TOPS
Clermont reaction
Their reaction was expected after the setback conceded against Bordeaux a week earlier. The Clermontois did not miss the opportunity offered to them. In Agen, the ASM was united, involved. Stung in their pride, the men of Franck Azéma did what was necessary to keep intact their ambitions for the final stages (32-15). And Clermont (6th, 41pts) even took advantage of the setbacks of Toulouse and Montpellier to find the Top 6, thanks to the offensive bonus acquired in the last ten minutes (Yato, 71st).
» READ ALSO - Toulouse falls to Bayonne, Clermont's good deal
Pau finally wins
Four months since Pau had not celebrated a victory at the Hameau stadium. Winner of Montpellier forceps (19-15), the Béarnais club ended a terrible series of 7 consecutive losses in Top 14. A victory amply deserved by Palois applied and united in their maintenance operation. In the standings, Pau made the right move and temporarily left the red zone, yielding the last place to the Stade Français which moves to Toulon at the end of the 17th day.
Bayonne is approaching maintenance
L'Aviron Bayonnais is on the right track. Promoted this season, the Basque club is about to succeed in its maintenance bet. Winner of the Stade Français in a decisive match last week (28-17), Bayonne followed this Saturday by offering the scalp of the defending champion of France (20-10). A meaningful victory, which allows Ciel et Blanc to get a little closer to maintaining at the end of the 2019-20 fiscal year.
FLOPS
MHR cracks at the end
Montpellier has long believed that Pollard's foot would suffice for his happiness. Unable to cross the (solid) defensive curtain of Pau, the MHR contented itself with 5 games at the foot of its opener, world champion with South Africa during the last World Cup. But by dint of being content with the bare minimum, Montpellier was punished in the last minutes, taking a try from Corado (76th). A decisive test on both sides, preventing the MHR from taking advantage of the Toulouse setback in Bayonne.
Agen falls back
The Top 14 thought they were cured, relaunched after their oh so important victory acquired on the side of Brive a week earlier (30-16)… Agen finally fell quickly. First in contact with Clermontois still a little stunned after their defeat against Bordeaux (31-22), the Agenais dropped in the second period. More undisciplined, less serious defensively, they were punished by an ASM who did not ask for so much (5 tries). Beaten without having scored a single point in the second act, the SUA drops to 13th place and could end up red lantern on Sunday, in the event of a victory for the Stade Français in Toulon (4:50 pm).
Read also
- Top 14 ranking