Last day to qualify for the round of 16 of the European Rugby Cup. Two French clubs have already qualified: Racing 92 and La Rochelle. There is therefore room for the other tricolor clubs in the running since the first eight of pools A and B will be qualified for the next round.
Already qualified for the eighth, the Racing 92 and La Rochelle are not going to rest on their laurels because there is an eighth at home to pick up. For that, you have to finish in the top four of your group. With fourteen points, before receiving Northampton (victory 45-14), the Sky and White are in favorable tie. La Rochelle, traveling to Glasgow, will have more work: in the first leg, the Scottish Warriors had caused a lot of trouble for the Maritimes in lack of inspiration (20-13).
Bordeaux-Bègles and Toulouse in a good position
Bordeaux-Bègles took a very big step towards the round of 16 after his bonus victory against the Scarlets in the previous round. Only a victory for Castres with the attacking bonus on the field of Harlequins, associated with a dry setback for the Girondins in Leicester, could deprive them of qualification.
For Toulouse, things are less well underway. Surprised by the Wasps last Saturday, Stade Toulousain does not have much to fear from Cardiff. The Welsh had been swallowed by the Red and Black (39-7) in the first leg.
Complicated for Clermont, Montpellier and Stade Français
On the side of Clermont, it looks full-bodied. The Auvergnats have never imposed themselves in Ulster, their opponent this Saturday. In seventh place in their pool, the Clermontois are tackling a hell of a challenge. ASM can nevertheless qualify in the event of defeat according to the results of their rivals.
For Montpellier, the mission looks almost impossible. If they are still in the race, in particular thanks to their victory on the green carpet against Leinster due to Covid, the MHR players lost heavily in the first leg: historic defeat (89-7). They also lost their other match to Exeter (42-6). But a feat against the Chiefs is always possible to finish in the top eight of their group.
With two dots, the French stadium will also have to output an exploit when receiving the connacht, their first match in the European Cup at home since 2016. A victory at Twickenham against Harlequins, the reigning English champions and leaders of Pool B, would allow Castres to slip into the sixteen. With this CO, coming close to the feat in front of Munster, we are not immune to a surprise.
The program of the 4th day for French clubs
Friday January 21
Pool B
Saturday January 22
Pool A
- Ulster- Clermont 6:30 p.m.
- Glasgow- La Rochelle 9:00 p.m.
Pool B
- Toulouse – Cardiff 2:00 p.m.
- Leicester – Bordeaux-Bègles 4:15 p.m.
Sunday January 23
Pool A
- Racing 92 – Northampton 4:15 p.m.
- Montpellier – Exeter 6:30 p.m.
Pool B
- French Stadium – Connacht 2:00 p.m.