Multiplex Top 14: Couilloud and the LOU make the perfect shot, Montpellier sinks

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The perfect evening for Lyon

The pressure was on the shoulders of Xavier Garbajosa and his players before the kick-off of this game. 80 minutes later, here are Lyon on the third step of the podium and a play-off of final phases at home, against Union-Bordeaux Bègles Sunday, June 4 at 21h. After a rather hanging hour, they managed to accelerate and explode Bayonne, too fair physically (52-19).

A successful farewell

Who says last day of Top 14 says goodbye of players to their clubs. This 2023 vintage will not have departed from the heartbreaking farewell: Damian Penaud came out in tears at Clermont before joining UBB in the off-season, Sergio Parisse and Mathieu Bastareaud left under the applause of the public of Mayol in Toulon. Romain Sazy did not take part in the match but was celebrated after the final whistle.

Pau without trembling

Very well placed to save itself, the Section Paloise did not drag to win against Montpellier, 5 tries to 1, and get its maintenance. The first period was one-sided: 28-3 at the break. The Béarnais can breathe and avoid a play-off of accession / relegation against Grenoble.

Flops

Return by the play-off for Perpignan

The victory against Toulouse in Aimé-Giral (26-21) had given hope to the Catalans. Their defeat, which would not have changed anything because of the victory in Paloise, sends them to the play-off of accession / relegation against the loser of the final of Pro D2, Grenoble. Last year, they became the first club 13th in the Top 14 to win this match of fear in four editions. The Usapistes had then crushed a Stade Montois (41-16) washed away from an extended season.

Montpellier loses face

The season of the France champion turned into a nightmare. Already out of the race for the finals, MHR will not even play in the Champions Cup next season, as they finish in 11th place. Already undermined by extra-sporting affairs during the season, and more recently with the new disbursements of Mohammed Haouas, Montpellier has not even illusioned in the Béarn...

Stade Français, sweet defeat

The defeat of Racing 92 at Clermont allows Stade Français to keep a play-off at home, Saturday, June 3 at 14h. But this new counter-performance on the pitch of a Stade Rochelais where all the heroes of the Champions Cup won against Leinster last week (27-26) were in the stands will probably be a new headache for Gonzalo Quesada and his staff. The Ile-de-France derby promises to be hot.