The leader: Montpellier assures Perpignan
Thanks to its victory (13-23) at Aimé-Giral against USAP and with a ten-point lead over third-placed Castres, Montpellier can hope, with four rounds remaining, to qualify directly for the quarter-finals. . We regret the missed outing of the children of the Catalan country, Guilhem Guirado and Enzo Forletta, exfiltrated at halftime when they could have enjoyed an ovation from their former audience. For the rest, even reduced to a time of thirteen, a good defense and the double of the second-row South African Janse van Rensburg (30th, 74th) allowed the Héraultais to get out of trouble.
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The feat: Toulon pulverizes Lyon at Gerland
Who would have imagined that the last in the standings on the seventeenth day would find themselves five days later in a position to clinch a place in the final phase? With the returns of the Blues, winger Gabin Villière and left pillar Jean-Baptiste Gros, crowned with their Grand Slam, we have to believe that the magic has worked. The international squad (Tolofua, Etzebeth, Rebbadj, Ollivon, Isa, Serin, Carbonel, Kolbe, Setiano, Nakarawa) finally managed to play in unison. And the Lyonnais, disconnected after Kolbe’s “cap” try under Nakaitaci and Arnold’s beard, conceded a 32-0 in the second half to finish at 10-43.
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4
The number of successes away from home: Toulon to Lyon, Pau to Biarritz, Montpellier to Perpignan and La Rochelle to Bordeaux.
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The frustration: Bordeaux-Bègles too short
It’s been four times in a row that the Girondins have failed to win against Stade Rochelais, on the way to becoming their black (and yellow) beast… Beaten on the ground and in the air (thirteen balls recovered in the points of meeting by the Maritimes) against a team that had voluntarily limited its offensive ambitions, no doubt with a view to the next European games, the Bordelais never found the key to this Atlantic derby. Unlike the Rochelais who, after two assists (17th, 30th) and a goal from Ihaia West at the siren, obtained a short but crucial success (15-16).
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The question: playing at home is no longer an advantage?
We have to go back to the 7th day to find a better ratio with five successes on the move. Last weekend, four home successes show that home teams are not immune to disappointment. Four days from the end of the phase, there is no longer any advantage at home: this axiom is now very present in people’s minds. Undoubtedly, the prospect of the endgame changes perceptions.
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211
With twenty-two points scored ahead of Biarritz, Pau opener Antoine Hastoy (211 points) has become the new leader in the ranking of best directors, ahead of Lyonnais Léo Berdeu (198).
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The statement: “Keep your feet on the ground”
Thomas Domingo, coach of the forwards of Pau, victorious in Biarritz (19-42) : “These four points are important for the end of the season and for morale. We were able to bounce back from last week against USAP (victory without bonus, 27-22). This victory in Biarritz gives us a big step towards maintaining, but you have to keep your feet on the ground. The top 6 is another story: the teams in front of us are very competitive. “
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9
By scoring a try against Toulon, Lyon scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud (9 tries) is now the top scorer in the Top 14. This is also the number of tries scored during the Paris derby.
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The next day: shock at the top in the Hérault
After the round of 16 first leg and return, the championship will resume its rights with the trip from Clermont to Castres and from Pau to Paris (Saturday, 2:15 p.m.). Racing 92 and La Rochelle should still get plenty of points by receiving Biarritz and Perpignan respectively.
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Lyon will try to make up for their loss at home to Toulon during their trip to Brive (Saturday, 5:15 p.m.). Varois who await Toulouse firmly in Mayol (Saturday, 9:05 p.m.). And this 23rd day will end with the shock of the top of the table between Montpellier and Bordeaux-Bègles at the GGL stadium (Sunday, 9:05 p.m.).
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