Four French clubs are present in the round of 16 of the “small” European Cup.
Four French clubs on the starting line: Lyon and Toulon, top of their pools, Castres, reversed after being eliminated in the Champions Cup, and Biarritz are aiming for a place in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge. Unlike the prestigious European competition, the round of 16 of the Challenge will be played in dry matches, on the field of the best ranked at the end of the group stage.
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Hence a clear advantage for LOU who, after four successes in as many matches, finished top of Pool B and will host the Worcester Warriors, penultimate in the English championship. Toulon, who also finished first in their pool, will host the Italians from Benetton Treviso. But the Varois, who still hope to be part of the Top 14 play-off teams, will they have their heads turned towards Europe when they host Stade Toulouse in the league the following weekend? The prospect of a final at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille is a good source of motivation.
Castres, currently fourth in the Top 14, will have a big challenge ahead of the London Irish. On paper, the English, 8th in their championship, are within reach of the Tarnais but the CO are not celebrating far from their lair and have only won three away matches this season.
A breath of fresh air for the soundtrack?
Finally, Biarritz is heading towards the Pro D2 but can afford a breath of fresh air on the continental scene. The Basques tackle a big fish by receiving the Wasps, drafted from the European Cup and who have warned their opponents: this competition is for them a “second chance” to win a new European title, after the European Cup. Europe 2004 and 2007 and the Challenge 2003. The quarter-finals of the European Challenge will take place on the weekend of May 6-8.
The program for the 8th finals:
Friday (6:30 p.m.):
Biarritz-Wasps (ANG)
London Irish (ANG) -Castres
(21h00) :
Lyon-Worcester (ANG)
Newcastle (ANG)-Glasgow (ECO)
Saturday (9 p.m.):
Edinburgh (ECO) -Bath (ANG)
Gloucester (ANG) -Northampton (ANG)
Toulon-Treviso (ITA)
Sunday (2 p.m.):
Saracens (ANG) – Cardiff (GAL)
