Tops
The pressure was on the shoulders of Xavier Garbajosa and his players before the start of this game. 80 minutes later, the Lyonnais are on the third step of the podium and a play-off in the final stages at home, against Union-Bordeaux Bègles on Sunday June 4 at 9 p.m. After a rather tight hour, they managed to accelerate and explode Bayonne, too physically fair (52-19).
Who says last day of Top 14 says goodbye from players to their clubs. This 2023 vintage will not have derogated from the heartbreaking farewells: Damian Penaud left in tears in Clermont before joining the UBB in the off-season, Sergio Parisse and Mathieu Bastareaud left to the loud applause of the public from Mayol to Toulon. Romain Sazy did not take part in the match but was celebrated after the final whistle.
Very well placed to save themselves, the Section Paloise did not drag to win against Montpellier, 5 tries to 1, and obtain their maintenance. The first half was one-sided: 28-3 at the break. The Béarnais can breathe and avoid a barrage of accession / relegation against Grenoble.
Flops
The victory against Toulouse at Aimé-Giral (26-21) had given hope to the Catalans. Their defeat, which would not have changed anything because of the Pau victory, therefore sends them to the accession/relegation play-off against the loser of the Pro D2 final, Grenoble. Last year, they became the first club 13th in the Top 14 to win this match of fear in four editions. The Usapists then crushed a Stade Montois (41-16) washed out from an extended season.
The French champion’s season has turned into a nightmare. Already disqualified for the final stages, the MHR will not even compete 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 did not even deceive in Béarn …
The defeat of Racing 92 in Clermont allows Stade Français to keep a play-off at home, Saturday June 3 at 2 p.m. But this new poor performance on the lawn 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.
