Racing 92 in the round of 16, UBB first after the defeat of Lyon… What to remember from Saturday’s matches

Several French clubs were playing for their place in the Champions Cup final phase on Saturday. Defeated, Bordeaux still locked first place in the group after the defeat of Lyon, while Racing 92 reached the eighth place. Stade Français is eliminated from all European competition.

The last day of the Champions Cup group stage was partly played on Saturday January 20, with several French clubs on deck. Defeated by the Blue Bulls (46-40), Union Bordeaux-Bègles still pockets first place in its group after Lyon’s defeat against Saracens (39-24). For its part, Racing 92 pocketed its ticket to the eighth thanks to its first victory in the competition, against Cardiff (48-26).

UBB loses, but first

First in group 1 after three victories in three matches, Union Bordeaux-Bègles was fighting for its place in the standings. An improved victory against the Blue Bulls would have assured him first place and top seed status, with the assurance of reaching the semi-finals. The match was up to the challenge: six tries on each side at the end of a fast-paced match, where it was necessary to wait for two South African penalties at the end of the match for the match to change definitively.

Despite the defeat of UBB (46-40), the offensive and defensive bonuses allow Yannick Bru’s men to remain at the top of their group. With the defeat of Lyon (39-24) a little later in the evening, Bordeaux will be well seeded.

Defeated, LOU is third

Already qualified in a group dominated by Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Lyon hoped to reshuffle the cards against Saracens. Second behind UBB, he could take advantage of a misstep from Bordeaux against the Blue Bulls to dream of first place. After the defeat – with bonus – of Yannick Bru’s players, LOU needed a very large improved victory to become seeded.

Despite the twelve points lead at the break, two tries from Davit Niniashvili and Josiah Maraku, Lyon could not resist the acceleration of the English club and its four tries (39-24). As a result, the club lost a place and finished third in its group.

First victory for Racing, synonymous with qualification

After three defeats in as many matches, Racing 92, fifth in their group, hosted Cardiff, last. He could dream of qualifying, partly thanks to Harlequins’ victory over Ulster (47-19) earlier in the afternoon. After a timid start, with only one penalty in the first quarter of an hour, the Ciel et Blanc accelerated and scored seven tries in total, with only four conceded.

With the victory and the offensive bonus in their pocket (48-26), Racing 92 finished fourth in their group ahead of Ulster and Cardiff, and will therefore play in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup, where they will inherit a big piece : one of the first four in the group.

Stade Français leaves Europe

The three defeats in three matches, without bonuses, had already sealed the future in the Champions Cup of Stade Français. With a victory against the Stormers as well as a boost from La Rochelle against Sale on Sunday, the Parisians could dream of the Challenge Cup. However, it was off to a good start: in the first minute, Andy Timo scored the first try of the game. But the three Parisian tries were not enough, and the Stade lost at the end of the game (20-24). Already eliminated from the Champions Cup, Paul Gabrillagues’ teammates will not experience the small European Cup either.