Who to succeed Stade Toulousain? The defending champions want to retain their title as the round of 16 of the European Rugby Cup begins on Friday in an unprecedented format of round-trip matches. Six other French clubs are in the running to climb the steps leading to the ultimate crown.
The Toulouse face the Irish ofUlster and still have in the throat the cancellation in January by the organizer of the competition, the EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby), of their last group match against Cardiff. Toulouse felt able and entitled to play despite several Covid-19 contaminations in its ranks. Narrowly passed after the cancellation of their two home matches, the five-time European champions (record) inherited with Ulster from South African Duane Vermeulen a dangerous opponent, currently second in the United Rugby Championship (the championship Irish, Scottish, Welsh, South African and Italian provinces and teams).
Two 100% French duels
For this first in round-trip format, the round of 16 will see two Franco-French confrontations between teams, which coincidentally, have already faced each other last week in the Top 14. Saturday, theUnion Bordeaux-Bègles find La Rochellea week after the narrow victory of the UBB (16-15).
Another 100% tricolor duel, that between the Racing 92 and the French stadium Saturday at the Jean-Bouin stadium. Severely beaten at their neighbor Hauts-de-Seine (53-20) last weekend, the Parisians of the French stadium, left behind in the league (11th place), only have Europe to save their season.
Complicated mission for Montpellier and Clermont
It’s kind of the opposite for Montpellierleader of the Top 14, opposed Sunday to the champions of England in title, the Harlequins, carried by their international opener Marcus Smith. Not totally concerned during the group stage, like the historic slap received at Leinster (89-7), the MHR, which has just extended all of its staff until 2025, will he play this time more continental play?
The question also arises for Clermont. In the fight in the race for qualification for the final phase of the Top 14, the Auvergne club, not necessarily armed to play on two fronts, may have its head elsewhere on Sunday against Leicestersolid leader of the English championship.
The return matches will take place next weekend, April 15-17.
The program for the round of 16 first leg
Friday April 8
- (21h00) Connacht (IRL) – Leinster (IRL)
Saturday April 9
- (2:00 p.m.) Bordeaux-Bègles (FRA) – La Rochelle (ENG)
- Dirty (ENG) – Bristol (ENG)
- (4:15 p.m.) Toulouse (FRA) – Ulster (IRL)
- (6:30 p.m.) French Stadium (FRA) – Racing 92 (ENG)
- Exeter (ENG) – Munster (IRL)
Sunday April 10
- (2:00 p.m.) Montpellier (FRA) – Harlequins (ENG)
- (4:15 p.m.) Clermont (FRA) – Leicester (ENG)