Only one will remain, Sunday May 15, in Lens. Like the families who struggle to take their place on the Iron Throne in Game Of Thrones, many clubs covet the Holy Grail of European rugby: the Champions Cup. No Stark or Targaryen here, but Racing 92 and La Rochelle, who would be delighted to come and upset the established order by winning their first European star.
The two teams meet in the semi-finals of the Great European Cup (4 p.m., live on France 2 and france.tv) at the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium, a relocation due to a concert at the Racing Defense Arena. The winner will find on May 28, in Marseille, Leinster. The Irish, already winners in 2018, largely dominated the Toulouse title holders on Saturday.
Racingmen and Rochelais display their ambition for many months. “We want to win the European Cup”, bluntly assaulted the three-quarters international center of Ciel et Blanc Gaël Fickou in January before the trip to the Ospreys field. With the coach of the Maritimes and former assistant coach of Racing, Ronan O’Gara, the story is similar. “We are in the last four, but I would like us to be the last two finalists and be ‘the last man standing’in other words the last man standing”he explained Friday, in a pre-match press conference.
It must be said that both teams had their share of frustrations. After an exceptional season last year, Stade La Rochelle fell in the Top 14 final and in the Champions Cup final against Toulouse. The disappointment was hard to swallow and the players did not fail to recall it many times throughout the year. “We lost a final last year, but the past no longer interests me”nevertheless underlined the technician from La Rochelle.
For their part, the Racingmen were only able to adorn themselves with the costume of the disappointed finalist at each appearance in the final. “It’s true that Racing 92 have also lost three finals, so I think there is a lot of frustration on their part, especially with their last final lost against Exeter in a game behind closed doors”has recalled Ronan O’Gara.
The two teams did not bet on the same tactic to achieve their objectives. Brilliant for several weeks, Stade La Rochelais has methodically dismantled fierce competitors (Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Montpellier) by relying on its colossi, large carriers, as powerful as they are excellent ball handlers. The third center line of the Blues, Grégory Alldritt, is the best example.
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The France international has made more runs (94) than any Champions Cup player this season. In addition, no forward has swallowed more meters than him (601), nor beaten more defenders or made passes after contact (14). “We know that they are strong in the physical challenge”confirmed at a press conference the center three-quarters of Racing 92 Henry Chavancy.
“They have a big pack of forwards, very strong players behind. Against Sale, it was a bit the same type of opponent but I think La Rochelle are a better team.”
Henry Chavancy, three quarters center of Racing 92at the pre-match press conference
The Racingmen, who have inherited a more favorable table (French Stadium, Sale), have mainly shone thanks to the inspirations and other individual exploits of their three-quarters. The tries of the Ile-de-France opener Finn Russell – two consecutive kicks to go up 60 meters – and winger Teddy Thomas flirting with the sideline against the Sharks, are role models.
So who, from a Stade La Rochelais accustomed to controlled matches or a Racing 92 often dominated before a shattering rebellion, will offer themselves a place for the final? Who’s new in the Champions Cup – second participation for Stade Rochelais – or Racing 92, with its three lost finals in six years and its five consecutive quarter-finals, is the best placed?
If the manager of Ciel et Blanc, Laurent Travers, conceded that his Racing is “the most consistent team in Europe with Leinster and Stade Toulousain”he expects a match “very committed, padlocked”. “We know them, we will have to prepare well”adds Finn Russell, fly-half.
“It will probably be even harder. We have already played La Rochelle a few times this year, last year they beat us in the semi-finals of the Top 14 (19-6).”
Racing 92 fly half Finn Russellat the pre-match press conference
The last battles between the two teams do not really help to decide. Each won at home (Racing on the 3rd day, La Rochelle on the 21st day).
Racing has a European tradition to honour: after reaching the European Cup finals every two years (2016, 2018, 2020), it will certainly not want to miss its meeting in 2022, this time with a different outcome. , even against Leinster. After all, Game Of Thrones has clearly proven that in the end, the king is not always the one expected.