Since the victory in rugby brings 4 points, it is a victory that separates CAB and USAP at the dawn of the 25th and penultimate day of Top 14. However, when we take a close look at the ranking in the different columns, Perpignan won two more meetings than its competitor, but Brive brought back more bonuses (7 against 3), most often defensive.
To discover
- Schedule and results Top 14
- Top 14 Ranking
The deal is simple, the Catalans are masters of their destiny unlike the Brivistes. The first, who have 39 points, will probably play the accession match against the loser of the Pro D2 final by winning their last two games or counting on a misstep of Patrice Collazo's men. The latter, with 35 points, must sign two successes and support the opponents of Perpignan.
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For both teams, a direct stay in the Top 14 is practically unthinkable, even if for Brive it is a certainty, insofar as the Section Paloise is 12th with 47 points. In other words, Perpignan can still believe it, but with a good ladle of circumstances in its favor. The Béarnais, who will go to Bordeaux Bègles this weekend and receive Montpellier on May 28, only need a victory or a defeat of the USAP to guarantee their maintenance, they who have 8 points ahead before this 25th day.
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Toulouse and Castres as justice of the peace
At first glance, Stade Toulousain, which is leader of the Top 14 and Castres 11th already (practically) maintained, have little to do with maintenance. And yet it is. Both teams will have a major role to play in the race for retention. Indirectly, since they will not be concerned themselves, but because they will face both Brive and Perpignan on the last two days.
Toulouse goes to Perpignan this Saturday at 15:00 before receiving the CAB in two weeks. Reverse program for Castres who goes to Brive this Saturday and will receive USAP on the 26th and last day. No excuse, neither for the Correzians, nor for the Catalans, since by facing the same teams, we will see who will be able to come out of the game.
The advantage for the two teams at the bottom of the table is that Toulouse and Castres have nothing left to play. Even if Toulouse will want to finish first (and thus play their semi-final on Friday night to benefit from 24 hours of recovery more in case of victory), they have already secured their place in the semi-finals by beating Bordeaux Bègles last week (31-17). And Ugo Mola will rotate his frames for the final stages.
For its part, Castres will not necessarily rest anyone, but the Tarnais have had a very disappointing season. Especially since there is still a tiny possibility of seeing them slide in a dam. It would be necessary to see them lose twice (and without taking a single bonus) and that Perpignan wins twice with, each time, an offensive bonus in pocket. Unlikely...
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Brive has heart
Last week, the CAB moved to Montpellier and could in case of defeat on the lawn of the MHR and victory of Perpignan in Gerland against the LOU, be definitively condemned to the Pro D2. Which was the case at some point in the game. "In the 60th minute, we were in Pro D2 but we (the players) did not know," admitted Argentine opener Nicolas Sanchez. But the Correzians turned around a completely compromised situation with a try after the siren and a transformation of the same Sanchez to win 26-27 in the Hérault.
Brive's try (26-27) win in Montpellier PASCAL GUYOT / AFP
The joy and euphoria felt after the match gave a lot of hope to a Brive team that has always believed in it despite its situation in the standings. While everyone no longer saw them capable of getting back on track, the Brivistes proved that they had heart and what it took to topple the reigning France champion. If the band keeps the same heart, who knows what could happen? But Brive will absolutely have to win its last two games to hope to play the Access Match and that Perpignan loses at least once.
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Perpignan Advantage
Brive has heart but USAP has the cards in hand. In addition, Mathieu Acebes' teammates have already experienced this situation last season by winning the Access Match against Mont-de-Marsan, and this, quite widely (41-16). The men of Arlettaz also have the advantage of the classification. Perpignan only need an improved win and a defeat to zero points of Brive to play the play-off. Otherwise two successes or two defeats of Brive.
The USAP will try to cross the last step for the maintenance RAYMOND ROIG / AFP
We suspect that Franck Azéma will observe the situation closely, he who will coach USAP next season replacing Patrick Arlettaz, who will stop at the end of the season (a rumor announces him joining the staff of the XV of FRance after the World Cup ...). The current coach of Toulon would live a hell of a disappointment if he had to take the lead of a team joining the ranks of the Pro D2 in the next exercise...