Toulon on the ropes, Lyon qualified, Stade français swept away… What to remember from Saturday’s matches

After Lyon’s victory against the Irish from Connacht, Toulon and Stade Français lost on Saturday against Munster and Leinster on the penultimate day of the group stage.

A first weekend of European games in 2024 mixed on the French side. The day after the slap received by Aviron Bayonnais in Northampton (61-14), four French clubs are on deck, Saturday January 13, for the 3rd and penultimate day of the group stage of the Champions Cup. If LOU won at home against Connacht (34-20) to validate its qualification, Toulon is on the verge of elimination after its defeat against Munster (18-29). Same thing for Stade Français, beaten with its second team on the Leinster pitch (43-7). In the evening, Toulouse is in Belfast to challenge Ulster (9 p.m.).

12 minutes which are (very) expensive at the RCT

Last in its group before the match, Toulon had to win so as not to seriously compromise its chances of seeing the next round. But the southern club did not manage to get past the second, after a flying start. Lead by ten points thanks to a magnificent try from Duncan Paia’aua offered on a platter by Jiuta Wainiqolo, the RCT let its guard down at the end of the first period, conceding no less than 17 points in barely twelve minutes before the break.

Symbol of the inconstancy of the Var, this air gap, during which Alex Nankivell and Simon Zebo each flattened an Irish ball in the goal, conditioning the second period. Munster moved forward again when the Toulonnais increased their inaccuracies and therefore failed to earn the defensive bonus point (four tries to two). On the last day, the RCT will have to win at all costs in Glasgow to hope to take, depending on the other results, the fourth qualifying place for the elimination phase.

A breath of fresh air for Lyon

It’s made for the LOU. Thanks to their improved success at Gerland against the Irish of Connacht (34-20) combined with the victory of the Bulls against Bristol (31-17), the Lyonnais registered their presence in the round of 16. A good way to get back on track after the humiliation suffered in Toulouse last weekend (45-0) and to improve confidence, while the team is only 13th behind in the Top 14. “In the championship, we are in tough conditions and we need these two weeks in the European Cup to bounce back and regain confidence”recognised opener Léo Berdeu at the microphone of beIN Sports after the match.

Against Connacht, Lyon once again showed its fragility in the defensive phases, with three tries conceded due to avoidable errors. But the Rhone residents ensured the essential thanks to a better controlled end of the game, where they managed to increase the counter of flattened balls in the goal to four. “Compared to usual, we were able to raise our heads by remaining united to get the bonus at the end. This victory does a lot of good”continued the flyhalf, whose team will try to keep first place in Pool A by dominating Saracens in a week.

The young people from Stade Français did their best

Almost eliminated with a single point gleaned from two matches, Stade Français decided to skip this trip to the great Leinster, taking advantage of the opportunity to launch several young players into the deep end. Unsurprisingly, the bill is therefore heavy on arrival with the trifle of seven tries conceded.

But with his bottle class – the back Léo Monin (21 years old), the center Noah Néné (19 years old) or the third row Andy Timo (19 years old) – the Parisians were still valiant, showing themselves to be dangerous by sequences in the first period and achieving the honor at the very end of the match. On the final day, the 3rd in the Top 14 will face the South African Stormers, before probably focusing on their quest for a first Brennus Shield since 2015.