La Rochelle, by winning with realism on Saturday over Clermont, during the 23rd day of the Top 14, validated its qualification for the final stages, while at the bottom of the classification, Brive and Perpignan rebelled, to the detriment of Pau and Racing 92. In the evening, place for the clash of the titans between the Toulouse leader (71 points), already qualified too, and the French Stadium (3rd, 60 pts), in a Jean-Bouin of the great days, and at the counters please close.
Stade Rochelais (2nd, 70 pts), author of an improved victory over Clermont (26-13), marked by a cold realism on Saturday in its Marcel-Deflandre stadium, prepared well for its Champions Cup semi-final against Exeter, next Sunday in Bordeaux, ensuring its qualification for the final stages of the championship. The Maritimes, thanks to four tries and despite a reshuffled team, chained a sixth success in a row, but without shining, somewhat heckled by the men of Christophe Urios before the depth of their bench restored logic. Clermont (11th, 46 pts) concedes for its part a second failure in a row, before receiving the French Stadium during the next day: hard, hard.
Finalist last season, Castres (9th, 49 pts) confirmed to Pierre-Fabre his awakening, albeit late, by chaining a fourth victory in a row at the expense of Toulon (31-18), surely already in the lead at his half- Challenge Cup final next Sunday in Mayol. Quickly deprived of its international hooker Gaëtan Barlot, released on a stretcher from the 2nd minute, the CO benefited from the red card of the second line of the RCT Matthias Halagahu, to grant himself his third try, synonymous with an offensive bonus.
Last in the championship, Brive (31 pts), narrowly dominating Pau (22-17) in Corrèze, the first victory for Arnaud Mela’s men after seven defeats in a row, gave themselves a little air, allowing dream a little more about maintenance. As for the Section, this defeat is all the more expensive as Emilien Gailleton’s teammates now only have a three-point lead over Perpignan, penultimate, who for his part won with panache at Aimé- Giral on Racing 92 (30-21). The Catalans can breathe, but not too much anyway, because they will have the heavy task of moving to Lyon on the next day.
Finally, at Jean-Dauger, the hero of the day is called Camille Lopez: the Aviron bayonnais opener, thanks to a magnificent drop of which he has the secret in the 76th minute, allowed his teammates to win. once again at home (33-30), against the defending champion Montpellier, who never stops sinking (10th, 49 pts). The Basque club (8th, 54 pts) is thus approaching the Top 6 and can see its trip to Racing 92 coming on the 24th day with a little more serenity. Closing Sunday evening, Bordeaux-Bègles (7th, 54 pts) receives LOU (5th, 56 pts), in a decisive match for the race for the final stages.