After the slap received in Perpignan and a fourth defeat in five games, the Auvergne club is playing very hard against UBB. The Toulouse residents will want to strike hard against the Rochelais.
Established during the 2009-2010 season, the Top 14 Boxing Day – inspired by what is done in the English football championship – is now a special event which enlivens the end-of-year celebrations. This 2025 edition will raise funds for APF France Handicap, an association which helps people with disabilities. On the ground, there is no shortage of challenges for this 13e daytime. First mid-season trends.
Clermont, the winter crisis
Storm at the foot of Puy-de-Dôme. Like last year at this time, the ASM is in turmoil. The defeat conceded on Saturday on the lawn of Perpignan (26-20) – which had not won all season – shook Clermontois who had nevertheless played for an hour in numerical superiority. The Jaunards, only 11es in the standings, have won only one of their last five matches. The discontent among the supporters is palpable and former number 8 Fritz Lee also sharply criticized his former club. “We don’t have that flair anymore, and when we face the best teams, it’s like we’re too afraid to take risks,” he said in Olympic noon. Misstep prohibited, this Saturday (9 p.m., Canal+), against Bordeaux-Bègles (without Jalibert and Penaud left to rest). “We need to put our heads back together”insists Christophe Urios. Time is running out.
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The rage at Stade Toulousain
Beware of the pride of the champion. Annoyed after their surprise defeat in Glasgow in the Champions Cup then the two penalty points in the standings in the Jaminet affair, Stade Toulousain took revenge on Lyon, swept away 41-19 on their lawn on the last day. And Ugo Mola tells his players: “Everyone pukes on us, on the president, on our club, on everyone. But it’s only rugby that counts, it’s our mode of expression. » The Rouge et Noir – who play the “alone against all” card – will want to strike hard again against La Rochelle on Sunday evening (9:05 p.m.). “We were stung, it’s not a lie,” recognized Toulouse second row Clément Vergé. From Toulouse who have lifted five of the last six shields of Brennus, determined to leave only crumbs to the competition.
Pau leader at mid-term?
This is the nice surprise of this start of the season. The Paloise Section, before its trip to Montpellier on Saturday, is at the top of the Top 14. With a breathtaking game, solid up front and imperial in the air, which allows the Béarnais players to believe in a first qualification for the final phases since 2003, after having finished two small points from the top 6 for the last two seasons. The Paloise Section, a clever mix of experience (Daubagna, Isa, Gorgadze) and youth (Brau-Boirie, Arfeuil, Grandidier-Nkanang), now wants to confirm over time. “You don’t need to have done advanced math to realize that with twelve teams for six places there will be more disappointed than happy people”warns manager Sébastien Piqueronies.
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“Pau admits to wanting to be among the best”: Sébastien Piqueronies, coach of the astonishing co-leader of the Top 14, confides in Le Figaro
Bayonne wants to follow up with Jean-Dauger
Still as impressive at home, with 20 consecutive victories in the Top 14, Aviron Bayonnais will try to continue its series on Saturday against Stade Français. The Basques will have to make amends for their poor away performances, with another 49 points conceded a week ago in La Rochelle. But the Parisian Pink Soldiers, who should record the return of Kerr-Barlow as number 9, will want to compensate for the draw (20-20) conceded against their neighbors Racing 92. This will not be an easy task: Aviron has not lost to Jean-Dauger in the championship since June 8, 2024, against Castres Olympique.
Program for the 13th day:
SATURDAY
(14h00) Racing 92 – Montauban
(4:00 p.m.) Castres – Lyon
(6:00 p.m.) Bayonne – Stade Français
(9:00 p.m.) Clermont – Bordeaux-Bègles
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Sunday
(16h00) Pau – Montpellier
(6:00 p.m.) Toulon – Perpignan
(9:05 p.m.) Toulouse – La Rochelle
