Finalists last season Toulouse and La Rochelle play big during the 25th and penultimate day of the Top 14, this weekend, which will allow to see more clearly in the fight for the final phase.
Of Montpellier (1st) to Toulon (8th), there are eight of them fighting for a place in the six, starting with the defending champion from Toulouse (6th) and the double European finalist from La Rochelle (7th).
The Red and Black move to Brive and the Maritimes receive the French Stadium, with zero room for manoeuvre. Toulouse coach Ugo Mola, before falling against Leinster (40-17) last week in the last four of the European Cup, spoke of “Thermal shock“to anticipate the return to current affairs in the league. Toulouse will be able to give a last push before breathing a little breather next week.
A luxury that neither Stade Rochelais, qualified for its second consecutive continental final, against Leinster, nor Toulon and Lyons (5th), who will compete for the European Challenge. Currently on the doorstep of the top 6, the Maritimes could play with the handbrake against Stade Français (11th), which has nothing to hope for this season.
Toulon face a team of Paul in the same situation (10th) but a far more perilous trip awaits the Lyonnais at second in the standings, Bordeaux-Bègles (67 pts). The leader, Montpellierbeaten in his last four outings in all competitions, was able to cut last week while his weekend opponent, the Racing 92lost a tough match in the European Cup semi-final against La Rochelle (20-13).
Detached for a long time already from all European obligations, Castres, despite its third place, advances in the shadows. Which is not to displease him. With a rather favorable timetable on paper – receipt of Perpignan at the Pierre-Fabre stadium, where they have not lost since December 2020, and a trip to Pau -, the Tarnais will probably not be able to hide for long.
► The calendar of the season in detail