Make way for the 23rd day of Top 14! On the menu an enticing Toulon-Toulouse relocated to the Vélodrome stadium for the top of the table and a death match between Perpignan and the Stade Français in Aimé-Giral. Here are our predictions for this weekend!
Lyon – Pau
Authors of a superb European course, Now the Lou qualified last week for the CUP challenge final. Inevitably in a good dynamic before finding this good old top 14, the men of Karim Ghezal have the ambition to qualify for the final phase. With 48 points, the Lyonnais must garner a maximum at home and this will go through a success against Pau. The Béarnais, they are between two waters: eight points from the thirteenth Perpignanais but only four of the last qualified for the final phase. This match, in case of success in Gerland, could well put them back in the race. A step too big in our opinion, against a lou which remains on ten games without defeat at home all competitions.
Our prono: Lyon wins
Racing 92 – Bayonne
Defeated last week in the semi-finals of Challenge Cup, the Racingmen will now focus fully on the Top 14. Their recent success in the derby against the Stade Français may well have given them a dynamic. Gael Fickou’s teammates can also still believe in qualification even if four teams remain ahead for the sixth place so coveted. With two complicated trips to Toulouse and Lyon on the next few days, winning Paris La Défense Arena is essential to continue to hope. However, it is a formidable opponent who arrives this weekend. Fourth, Bayonne has become a stable fear of all, especially at home. Outside, Grégory Patat’s protégés seem to be in difficulty with five losses in a row. However, the last two outings (opposite Paris and La Rochelle) lost little suggest a desire to hit a big blow outside. Last year, at the same time, Bayonne had taken the best on Racing 92. Bis Repetita? Not for us.
Our prono: Racing 92 victory and defensive bonus for the Basques
Vannes – La Rochelle
Vannes is better, much better. Prestige and amply deserved success has given this Breton team a new life that had always been able to hang on. With this victory on the 22nd day, this is the RCV fully relaunched in this maintenance race. This time, it is another cador that presents itself at the Rabine. The men of Jean-Noël Spitzer know that they have given themselves the chance to hope. And in this weekend of Perpignan-Paris (see below), four (or even five) points would be a hell of a good news for the dam or a direct maintenance. The Vannetais Center Robin Taccola said it itself: Vannes “Don’t want to have any regrets and hopes to do something incredible”. Opposite, the Rochelais are at the gates of the final phase too and know the importance of this meeting in Breton land. The success acquired in Bordeaux-Bègles combined with a week of recovery could be the magic recipe for happiness. For us, it is the Rochelais who will succeed in a new nice blow far from their base.
Our prognosis: La Rochelle victory, defensive bonus for Vannes
-Perpignan – Stade Français
This is clearly the match of this 23rd day of Top 14. A match at “eight or ten points” between two candidates for maintenance. In this duel, Perpignan will have to take advantage of the galvanizing atmosphere of Aimé-Giral to overcome Parisians also back to the wall. Recently winners of Racing 92 at home, Franck Azéma’s men know that beating this new Ile -de -France team will be a huge step towards survival in the elite. Opposite, the dynamics are not really good and this displacement really resembles an last judgment, as we write in the edition of the day. With a team made up of players cut for the top of the table (second in the general classification last year we recall), it is time to see if this training knows how to reinvent itself to play the maintenance. The former glory of the Pascal Papé club has trouble believing it and is not really reassured. Like us finally, who see a Catalan advantage in this “to death” duel.
Our prognosis: Perpignan victory
Toulon – Toulouse
What a gala shock for the top 14, Saturday evening at 9 p.m.! At the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille, the Toulonnais receive the Ugo Mola Toulouse after their defeat in the semi-final of Champions Cup. In what could resemble revenge after the previous duel on the European scene between the two teams, the Toulonnais want to shine. The goal is clear: to aim for this second place to save a dam match. For this, the Var will have to beat the reigning champion, who also will have pride after this recent elimination, despite an almost untouchable leader. In a closed window, Toulon should take the advantage against Toulousains whose counterposter of the Champions Cup could have an impact.
Our prognosis: Toulon prevails, defensive bonus for Toulouse
Montpellier-Bordeaux-Bègles
This Sunday evening poster will close this 23 day of the championship. The cists are also in this top 6 race (like many teams again) and will carefully play their luck against a Gironde team undoubtedly still marked by their emotions during the victory in the semi-final of Champions Cup. With a surely reworked XV, the Bordelo-Bèglais should have left a lot of energy in Matmut, too much to make a blow at the GGL Stadium? We in our opinion yes. Especially since the MHR remains on three success at home in Top 14.
Our prognosis: Montpellier is essential
As a reminder, The opening duel of the day between Castres and Clermont is postponed after the terrible drama which mourned the CO with the loss of Josaia Raisuqe.
