New hope for Montpellier and Toulouse
A final fragrance. The Toulouse leader, who receives Clermont, and the Montpellier title holder, traveling to Castres, will be in the spotlight on Saturday, during the 6th day of the Top 14, with two shocks that look like standard value.
Castres-Montpellier, revenge
We meet once again. Montpellier (3rd, 15 pts) and Castres (10th, 9 pts) launch hostilities with a remake of the last Top 14 final, which saw the MHR mitigate the Brennus. Three months later, the duel does not have quite the same flavor.
But he remains essential for two teams beaten on the last day. Undefeated at home since December 2020, the CO, with Argentinian Benjamin Urdapilleta, will want to continue to be intractable in their lair of Pierre-Fabre, where the MHR have not won since a narrow 12-9 success in May 2019 .
For the Héraultais, who bring together the scrum half Cobus Reinach, it will also be a question of reviving the dynamic to put pressure on the Toulouse ogre, his faller last week and leader of the classification.
Toulouse-Clermont, the return
Toulouse (1st, 18 pts) and Clermont (4th, 14 pts) have the opportunity to shine in this classic among the classics, XXL poster of the 1999, 2001, 2008 and 2019 finals.
The Auvergnats, carried by their wings of fire Alivereti Raka and Damian Penaud, should have rotated for this trip to Haute-Garonne, where they have not won since September 2014. They should have taken the opportunity to revive some players in need of playing time or injured (Tiberghien, Bibi Biziwu, O’Connor, Godener, Tixeront, Dzmanashvili, Lavanini, Delguy, Van Tonder, etc.).
Surprised by Pau a fortnight ago, Toulouse can increase their lead at the top of the championship. Especially with the scheduled return of internationals Antoine Dupont, Anthony Jelconh or Peato Mauvaka. Even from the center Pierre-Louis Barassi, injured in an ankle during the first day.
Lyon-UBB, the awakening
Since the start of the season, Bordeaux-Bègles (7th, 10 pts) and Lyon (12th, 9 pts) have been on alternating current. Sunday’s shock will be an opportunity for the Rhodaniens, as for the Girondins, to get in working order as much as to reassure themselves.
The heavy setback of Clermont (43-20) left a bitter taste on Lou’s side, the fault of a lack of consistency and recurring indiscipline. Less good defense of the Top 14 with 152 points conceded, Lyon has not won in front of the Girondins since October 2020.
Two years later, UBB reassured itself as it was able to dominate Stade Français (15-10). But the good dynamic risks being thwarted by numerous injuries (Dubié, Cordero, Tambwe, Miquel, Maynadier, Ducuing, Holmas…).
In the other meetings of the day, Toulon (5th, 12 pts), with winger Cheslin Kolbe, receives the surprise Brive (6th, 11 pts) while the red lantern Pau (14th, 8 pts) moves to Racing 92 (8th, 9 points).
Finally, La Rochelle (2nd, 17 pts), one of the teams in form, goes to Bayonne (11th, 9 pts). Duel at the bottom of the table for Stade Français (9th, 9 pts) ahead of Perpignan (13th, 9 pts).
Woe to the vanquished.