Champions Cup: Castres comes out with its head held high

Castres, who conceded on Friday at the Harlequins (36-33) his fourth defeat in four days, can still come out with his head held high from the European Rugby Cup after having stood up to the champion of England with a revamped team. Not really spoiled by the draw, with two complicated double confrontations against the "Quins" and the Irish of Munster, the CO took advantage of its continental meetings to give a chance to players little used in the league this season. What to fear the worst against two European heavyweights, but the "second knives" from Tarn, determined to show themselves to their advantage, were each time up to the event.

Beaten three times with defensive bonuses in the first three matches, they again cast doubt on the reigning English champions on Friday at the start of the 4th and final day of the group stage. Pierre-Henry Broncan's players, admirable in their solidarity, even took an offensive bonus point this time by scoring five tries, including two on clever combinations in touch, concluded by international hooker Gaëtan Barlot and the stainless scrum half Rory Cockott. But neither their great start, nor the three other tries scored by winger Antoine Zeghdar and Fijians Filipo Nakosi and Adrea Cocagi, were not enough to beat in their Stoop arena the English already qualified for the round of 16 before the coup. sending.

The Harlequins, pragmatic, were able to take advantage of Castrais errors to also go behind the line five times, including a questionable try after the siren to snatch victory and second place in the group.

This defeat of the CO indirectly does the business of its neighbor and rival Toulouse.

Barring an improbable combination of circumstances, the defending champion should qualify for the final stages despite his 28-0 defeat on the green carpet after the cancellation of his match against Cardiff on Friday for Covid-19 contaminations in his ranks.