During the third day of the European Cup, Bordeaux-Bègles hit hard against Northampton while Toulouse lost again away. Only ASM and Rowing are eliminated before the last day.
Before the fourth and final day of the group stage of the Rugby Champions Cup, only two poor performers (out of the 24 teams entered) have already been eliminated. And, oh well, they are French: Clermont and Bayonne, who claim to play the leading roles in the Top 14, left this weekend through the back door, after conceding a third defeat in as many matches.
Black Saturday for ASM, beaten for the second time at home (by Glasgow 21-33) and which lost four players to injury (Delguy, Falgoux, Tolofua and Lotrian). “I found that we had a positive mentality, we didn’t want to give up. So, it’s good, it will help us for the rest of the season.”tries to positive the Auvergne manager, Christophe Urios. Same disillusionment for Rowing, who were playing their second European campaign since their return to the elite. A third exit, against Leicester (57-14) with a reshuffled team, which will not ease tensions between manager Grégory Patat and his management (Philippe Tayeb and Laurent Travers).
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For the rest, the six other French teams are still mathematically in the game. With more or less chance of reaching the round of 16. This will certainly be the case for Bordeaux-Bègles, reigning European champion, who was already qualified before returning to Northampton this Sunday for a repeat of the last final in Cardiff. And who assumed his status as European champion by correcting the English Saints at Chaban-Delmas (50-28). A new offensive demonstration from the band at Matthieu Jalibert (eight tries) and a solid success (three improved successes). The final for first place in Pool 4 will take place on Sunday in Bristol, which has one point less (14).
Toulouse residents are worried
Toulouse, on the other hand, conceded on Sunday, at Saracens (20-14), a second defeat away, after that in Glasgow. Worrying for the rest of the competition. Ugo Mola’s players will have to defeat the Sale Sharks, already qualified, on Saturday (6:30 p.m.) to secure their ticket. But, in their quest for a seventh continental title, they will be forced to deal with a complicated journey, outside their bases…
The RCT, former great in Europe (trebled between 2013 and 2015), also has its destiny in hand, after its victory on Sunday against Munster (27-25). But how laborious and sluggish it was! After a poor first act, the Varois thought they had made the difference with two tries, but the Irish, faithful to their “fighting spirit”, took back the lead ten minutes from time also thanks to two tries. Full-back Marius Domon finally passed the penalty for the win at the last minute. Pierre Mignoni’s players are third in group 2 (9 points), behind Bath (11) and Edinburgh (10). We will have to win in Gloucester on Saturday to ensure qualification.
Another former European great, Stade Rochelais came very close to the feat of winning in Dublin against Leinster (25-24), losing to a penalty after the siren. Grégory Alldritt and his teammates, who cruelly lacked realism in their highlights, can harbor enormous regrets. Ronan O’Gara’s players will have to validate their ticket for the European top 16 by defeating Harlequins at Marcel-Deflandre on Sunday.
With two defeats and a victory on the clock, Castres and Pau can still believe it, in this convoluted qualifying formula. They will have to finish with a success respectively on the lawn of Munster (very complicated) and against the South African Sharks, at Hameau (completely playable). Last year, six clubs from the Top 14 were present in the round of 16.
