Toulouse, Clermont, Montpellier and Castres have yet to seek their qualification
If Racing 92 and La Rochelle have already validated their ticket for the knockout stages of the European Cup, several French clubs can still join them. In total, the first eight of the two pools will qualify for the round of 16.
Toulouse in danger?
Surprised by the Wasps last Saturday (30-22), Stade Toulousain lived a week in the form of a roller coaster: absent since mid-December, Antoine Dupont returned but the club was cut off in its preparation by cases of Covid- 19.
On paper, however, Toulouse does not have much to fear: swallowed up in Wales (39-7), Cardiff should not prevent the Rouge et Noir from returning in April for the start of the final phase. Especially since the Welsh have never imposed themselves on Ernest-Wallon.
Before joining the XV of France, the ten internationals summoned by Fabien Galthié for the 2022 Six Nations Tournament will be keen to validate their ticket for the final stages.
Clermont faces a big challenge
Clermont has never won in Ulster. It is therefore a sacred challenge that awaits the Auvergnats, seventh in their pool. “We expect a big fight, a big challenge. It’s worth a good big test for us. If we could give them back their own coin … “, moreover launched the pillar Etienne Falgoux, promising not to make calculations, even if the ASM can qualify in the event of defeat according to the results of their rivals.
Statistically, however, ASM has won its last four European trips. Better still, Ulster’s only defeat in their last eleven Champions Cup matches came against a French team, when Toulouse won 29-22 last season. Repetitive bis?
The house party
Already qualified for the round of 16, Racing 92 and La Rochelle are not going to rest on their laurels because there is a home eighth to go.
For that, you have to finish in the top four of your group. With fourteen points, before receiving Northampton (45-14 victory), the Sky and White are in favorable tie. La Rochelle, traveling to Glasgow, will have more work: on the way out, the Scottish warriors had a lot of problems with the Maritimes lacking inspiration (20-13).
Mission impossible for Montpellier and the French stadium?
Montpellier is in a paradoxical situation: a week after its historic defeat at Leinster (89-7), the MHR is still in the process of qualifying for the eighth. The Héraultais however lost their other disputed match, concluded by another heavy defeat on the ground of Exeter (42-6). Except that due to the pandemic, Philippe Saint-André’s men offered themselves a victory on the green carpet against the Irish (28-0), which allows them to believe it against the Chiefs.
With two points, the French Stadium will also have to pull out a feat when receiving Connacht.
A victory, at Twickenham, against Harlequins, reigning English champions and leaders of Pool B, can Castres slip into the sixteen. With this CO, coming close to a feat in front of Munster, we are not immune to a surprise.