The first legs did not offer any big surprises, leaving the spotlight to results in line with the forms of the moment. Saturday and Sunday April 16 and 17, the seven French clubs, still engaged in Champions Cup, will try to get their ticket to the quarter-finals. The latter, who had mixed fortunes during the first games, approach these return matches in a very different way.
When Racing 92, La Rochelle and Montpellier are perfectly placed thanks to their respective successes against Stade Français, Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Harlequins and should therefore focus on preserving their lead, Stade Toulousain must win. more than six points against Ulster if they want to be able to continue defending their title. Logically beaten by Leicester, the Clermontois have nothing to lose in this return match. Overview.
Racing, Montpellier and La Rochelle in very favorable waivers
Last week, the Stade rochelais had knocked out (31-13) its rival, Bordeaux-Bègles, with a demonstration of strength and accuracy, both technical and tactical. Suffice to say that between the 18-point lead, the largely overhauled UBB team moving to Marcel-Deflandre, the incandescent cocoon of La Rochelle and the fact that the Maritimes have not lost against UBB since November 2019, last season’s unfortunate finalists have all the cards in hand to win on Saturday (4 p.m. live on France 2 and france.tv). We see little more than a sin of pride to deflect Ronan O’Gara’s men – who remain on six victories in seven games – from a qualification that is reaching out to them.
An observation that we could make for Racing 92. Laurent Travers’ players were not particularly brilliant to dispose of the Stade Français to Jean Bouin (22-9) last Saturday, they nevertheless left with a comfortable mattress of thirteen points in advance.
We won the first leg so obviously we put ourselves in a good mood. But we also know that the game that counts is this one, which will allow us, I hope, to go into the quarters. We are aware that nothing is certain and we will absolutely have to win.
Henry Chavancy, three quarter center of Racing 92
at the pre-match press conference
The Parisians remain on two victories against the Parisians (53-20 in Top 14, 22-9 in the first leg) and have not lost since the end of November in their Arena, the scene of this return match. A dynamic opposed to Soldats Roses who remain on a single victory in five games.
In the same genre, but with a hint of certainty less, we find Montpellier. The Hérault club faces the Harlequins against whom he won 40-26 in the first leg. The leader of the Top 14 had lost the thread of the match after leading 34-0. He had conceded four tries in the last half hour. Caution therefore for this trip to London with the English champion.
Toulouse, a shaken but eye-catching champion
It’s quite simple, after his defeat (26-20) at Ernest-Wallon, the defending champion is condemned to a victory in Northern Ireland and by more than six points if he wants to extend his European adventure. After an exceptional season marked by a double crown (Champions Cup, Top 14), Stade Toulousain has lost its luster: less dominating forwards, unusual dropped balls, less pragmatic players approaching the scoring zones… Yet the Reds and Black, strong in their history and a rare science of winning, cling. The copies returned by the players of Ugo Mola, 5th in Top 14, seem more and more solid.
“We have a lot of chances that we can’t finish. They score on an interception during one of our highlights (…). We’re going to have to put in the commitment, the rhythm, it’s going to be very hard against a team that doesn’t often lose at home. You have to take all the points you have to take at the start of the match and not overplay.”
Anthony Jelonch, third line of Stade Toulousain
at the pre-match press conference
If the return of the internationals was good, many of them are absent for this decisive match (Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille and François Cros). The figures are nevertheless on the side of Stade Toulouse: the latter remains on three victories during its last three trips to Ireland.
ASM has everything to gain
The Clermontois have nothing to lose or gain everything, it all depends on which end you want to take it. The Auvergnats are on the verge of a new cycle. In such circumstances, it was difficult to expect a miracle against the Leicester Tigers, leaders of their championship and undefeated in the European Cup this season.
After having logically fallen (29-10) in the first leg despite a disputed match, the ASM gives a little more keys to its youth: Baptiste Jauneau, 18, will wear the number 9 tunic for the first time, Thibault Lanen (24) and Miles Amatosero (19) will form the second row. Huge confidence awaits them in case of victory. In case of defeat, the experience of a European match and the intensity that accompanies it are always good to take.