Thanks to its clear victory against Stade Français, 49-18, accompanied by the offensive bonus, Stade Toulousain is the new leader of the Top 14. A first for the French champions this season. Three days before the end of the regular season, does this first place already guarantee participation in the final phase of the championship?
The answer is yes. With 15 points ahead of the current 7th, Section Paloise, Stade Toulousain has validated its qualification since it will finish, at worst, 6th. Indeed, even if the Béarnais were full of points (by closing their difference in points, 20 against… 178 for Toulouse!) and the Toulouse residents ended with three defeats at zero points, this would be at the expense of Stade Rochelais and of Racing 92, future opponents of the Section. Who, beaten, would necessarily finish behind the finalists of the Champions Cup, on May 25 in London against Leinster.
The objective of Ugo Mola and his men is in any case more ambitious. The manager asked them, at the end of their success against the Parisians, to finish the season in first place. Question of standing. With the stated objective of finishing, at worst, 2nd, a guarantee of direct qualification for the semi-finals of the Top 14. Their next opponents – Montpellier, La Rochelle and Lyon – have been warned…
