Several French clubs played their last match of the group stage on Sunday. Winner of Sale, La Rochelle validated its ticket for the eighth while by winning against Bath, Toulouse secured first place in group 2.
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The last day of the Champions Cup group stage ended on Sunday January 21, with three French clubs on the track: La Rochelle, Toulouse and Bayonne. If the Basques were already eliminated from the competition and transferred to the Challenge Cup, the stakes were high for the Maritimes, who must not lose to reach the round of 16. We take stock of the day’s matches.
Winner of Sale, Stade Rochelais will see the eighth
Facing the English from Sale, Stade Rochelais was on a mission. After two inaugural defeats in the Champions Cup, the Maritimes were under orders not to lose if they wanted to reach the round of 16. And they did not fail. At the end of a difficult end to the match, the double title holders won against the Sharks (24-37).
Authors of a perfect start to the match, the Rochelais were well ahead 30-0 at the hour mark before seeing the English come back, thanks to four tries scored in the last 20 minutes of the match. If the copy was not perfect, it was enough for Ronan O’Gara’s men to win and take third place in group 4 with 12 points, synonymous with qualification in the round of 16.
Toulouse remains at the top of group 2 thanks to its victory over Bath
And four for the Toulouse Stadium! In a high-flying duel between two undefeated teams in the Champions Cup, the Rouge et Noir came out on top at the very end of the game to win against Bath (31-19), their fourth success in as many matches in the competition.
Tied on points with the English at the break (19-19) and manhandled at the start of the second half, the Toulouse residents made the difference in the last 12 minutes thanks to tries from Juan Cruz Mallia (68th) and Thomas Ramos (77th) . A victory which gives Toulouse first place in group 2.
Day 4 – Antoine Dupont: “there is no calculation to be made at this level”
The Toulouse captain returned to this optimal qualification for the round of 16 of the Champions Cup. Antoine Dupont also talks about the next opponent of his team that they will welcome: Racing 92. He especially talks about his future with rugby 7s. – ()
Historic success for Bayonne which joins the Challenge Cup
They had nothing to lose. With two defeats and a draw in three matches, the Bayonnais were assured of finishing 5th in their group and being transferred to the Challenge Cup before facing the English of Exeter on Sunday. That may have made the difference. Uninhibited, the Basques led the score from start to finish of the match to win 40-17 on their lawn, offensive bonus as a bonus thanks to six tries scored. A first success for the club in the Champions Cup.
A 100% French shock in the eighth, Lyon and La Rochelle in South Africa
In the end, five of the eight French teams entered in the Champions Cup have passed the group stage and are now looking towards the round of 16, which will take place in April. Among the posters, a 100% French duel between Stade Toulouse and Racing 92 in Haute-Garonne. Union Bordeaux-Bègles will host Saracens, while Stade Rochelais will face the Stormers in Cape Town. LOU will also travel to South Africa where they will face the Bulls in Pretoria.