TOPS
Stade Français validates its fantastic comeback
Few would have bet on the presence of Stade Français in the final stages at the end of last winter. Thanks to their victory against Aviron Bayonnais (9-12), in a match where the show was not invited, the pink soldiers chained a sixth consecutive victory to offer their place in the final stages , thanks to the defeat of Rugby Club Toulonnais in Castres (see below). Sixth and last qualified (70 points), Gonzalo Quesada's men will challenge Racing 92 at the Paris La Défense Arena, in a Paris derby that already smells of powder.
ASM Clermont will participate in the
Masters of their destiny party before kick-off, the Auvergnats held their rank to afford the scalp of Stade Rochelais (25-20) and reached the play-offs of the final stages. Thanks to the precision of its striker Morgan Parra against the poles (20 points) and a try from the center George Moala, served on a plateau by his winger Alivereti Raka, ASM Clermont was right about the intentions of the Maritimes, including the defensive bonus obtained in the last moments, allows them to qualify directly for the semi-finals with Stade Toulousain. The Jaunards will have to travel to the lair of Union Bordeaux-Bègles, fourth in the Top 14.
The Section Paloise saves its skin
The supporters of Pau did not have to be heart-warming to survive this crazy last day of Top 14. With four points behind Aviron Bayonnais before kick-off, the Béarnais had to count on a competition of circumstances to hope to save their skin in the elite.
It went through a match filled with determination against Montpellier, with an enhanced success obtained just after the siren thanks to the liberating banderilla from the second row Matt Philip (80th + 2).
Thanks to the six tests registered against the recent winners of the Challenge Cup.
the Palois won 41 to 25. The planets aligned since at the same time, Aviron Bayonnais lost to Stade Français (9-12).
Flops
Despite a festival, the Castres Olympique failed
While they had to hope for a defeat of the Stade Français to qualify for the finals, the Castres Olympique fulfilled its part of the contract by throwing the Rugby Club Toulonnais (48-24).
Timorous at the start of the match, Mathieu Babillot's teammates gained momentum after half an hour of play to completely dominate the debates.
On arrival, the Tarnais planted no less than six six tries to the Var and the opener Benjamin Urdapilleta was logically named man of the match after his 28 points scored, including two tries.
This victory, at the end of a remarkable end of the season, allows Castres Olympique to qualify for the Champions Cup.
A meager consolation prize.
The RCT, the big loser of the race to the finals
Qualified provisionally for the finals before kick-off, Rugby Club Toulonnais lost everything in the space of 80 minutes. Despite a start to the match on the hats of wheels and 17 points ahead after the tests of Louis Carbonel and Eben Etzebeth, the Var suffered the Castres revolt, and were joined just before the break (17-17), losing in passage their third-line and captain of the XV of France, Charles Ollivon, released on injury. Upon returning from the locker room, the Reds and Blacks gradually lost the thread of their meeting could only see the damage at the final whistle. In addition to not seeing the finals, the Toulonnais saw their opponent in the evening rob them of the last qualifying place for the Champions Cup. A dark evening that will take time to be forgotten.
What a cruel outcome for Rowing
Defeated by a short header by Stade Français (9-12), after a penalty from Joris Segonds in the 74th minute, the Bayonnais suffered a disaster scenario after the improved victory of Pau, obtained in the last moments of his match against Montpellier.
As a result, Rowing was forced to play a jump-off to keep its place in the top flight.
This one promises to be oh how dangerous it will be played next Saturday against its great rival Biarritz Olympique, finalist in the final of Pro D2, lost to Perpignan (33-16).
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Stade Français tears off the final phase and condemns Bayonne to a dam against Biarritz, Pau saves his skin