Which French clubs will join Racing 92 and La Rochelle, already qualified, in the round of 16?
Stade Toulousain, defending champion, Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français, Clermont, Montpellier and Castres must seek their qualification this weekend, during the 4th day of the European Rugby Cup.
As a reminder, the first eight of the two pools of twelve teams will qualify for the round of 16, played in home and away matches in April.
Toulouse in danger?
Surprised by the Wasps last Saturday (30-22), the defending champion had a rollercoaster week. Absent since mid-December, Antoine Dupont has finally returned to training, but the club has been cut off in its preparation by the appearance of a dozen positive cases of Covid-19. On paper, however, Toulouse does not have much to fear: swallowed up in Wales (39-7), Cardiff should not prevent the Rouge et Noir from returning in April. Especially since the Welsh have never imposed themselves on Ernest-Wallon. Before joining the XV of France, the ten internationals summoned by Fabien Galthié for the 2022 Six Nations Tournament will be keen to validate their ticket for the final stages. Only concern. A possible package due to Covid for a 28-0 defeat on green carpet.With only 7 points on the clock, the European champion could fall by the wayside...
Read alsoHit by the Covid, Stade Toulousain in danger in the European Cup
Clermont and the UBB can believe it
Clermont has never won in Ulster.
It is therefore a sacred challenge which awaits the Auvergnats, seventh in their pool.
“
We expect a big fight, a big challenge.
It's worth a good big test for us.
If we could give them back their own coin …
”, also launched the pillar Étienne Falgoux in the week, promising not to make calculations, even if the ASM can qualify in the event of defeat according to the results of his rivals.
Statistically, however, ASM has won its last four European trips.
Better still, Ulster's only defeat in their last eleven Champions Cup matches came against a French team, when Toulouse won 29-22 last season.
Bis repeat?
For Bordeaux-Bègles, a feat on the lawn of the Leicester Tigers, this Saturday (4:15 p.m.) would open the door to the knockout stages.
But a draw, or even a loss, could be enough to qualify.
Already the party at home for La Rochelle and Racing
Already qualified for the round of 16, Racing 92 and La Rochelle are not going to rest on their laurels because there is an eighth at home to go.
For that, you have to finish in the top four of your group.
With 14 points, before receiving Northampton (45-14 success in the first leg in England), the Ciel et Blancs are on a favorable tie.
La Rochelle, moving to Glasgow, will have more work.
In the first leg, the Scottish Warriors had caused a lot of trouble for the Maritimes in lack of inspiration (20-13).
Mission impossible for Castres, Paris and Montpellier?
Montpellier is in a paradoxical situation.
A week after its historic defeat at Leinster (89-7), the MHR is still in the race for a qualification in the eighth.
The Héraultais however lost their other disputed match, concluded by another heavy defeat on the ground of Exeter (42-6).
Yes, but due to the pandemic, Philippe Saint-André's men were offered a victory on the green carpet against the Irish (28-0), which allows them to believe it against the Chiefs.
With 2 small points, Stade Français will also have to pull off a feat when they host Connacht, their first match in the European Cup at home since 2016.
Finally, on Friday evening, a victory against Harlequins, reigning English champions and leaders of Pool B, would allow Castres to slip into the sixteen qualifiers.
With this CO, which came close to a feat in front of Munster, we are not immune to a surprise, even if the team composition, deprived of several executives left to rest, does not plead in favor of an extreme motivation.