The group stage delivers its verdict this weekend. With stakes for the eight representatives of the Top 14. If UBB, Toulouse and Toulon are qualified, from La Rochelle to Racing 92, everything remains possible.
Bordeaux-Bègles and Toulouse, the final fight
The first of each of the four groups is guaranteed to receive the round of 16 and then the quarter. Before this last day of the qualifying phase, UBB is ahead of Stade Toulousain by one point. Both receive (the Sharks and Leicester respectively) and aim for the offensive bonus. The margin is slim for the defending champion: let's hope that Penaud and his teammates don't score plenty of points. Unlikely. As a result, Toulouse should finish with 19 points, but be beaten by the leaders of the other three groups who will finish with a worse total…
Toulon thinking of Mayol
The RCT is qualified and, even, guaranteed to play its round of 16 at home. To also hope to play their quarter at Mayol, the Varois must win in Sale, in England. Or hope for a Glasgow misstep on the Harlequins pitch. First place in group 4 therefore seems within their reach.
La Rochelle and Clermont, qualification within reach
Stade Rochelais, among the Italians of Treviso, and ASM, which hosts the Bristol Bears, need one last victory to ensure their place in the round of 16 (a draw or an improved defeat would be enough for the Maritimes). La Rochelle can even finish at the top of Pool 2 if Leinster fall at home against Bath. Unlikely of course…
Castres is counting on… Paris
Castres Olympique is very close to qualification, 4th in pool 3, with 9 points, ahead of Stade Français (5 pts) and the Bulls (0). The latter two oppose each other in South Africa. And the Parisians exempted most of their executives from this long and tiring journey. A defeat of the Pink Soldiers would ensure the Tarnais of qualification. Otherwise, they will have to pick up at least one point in London against Saracens.
Racing on the gong?
This formula which qualifies four teams per group (of six) allows Racing 92, last in its group, to still be able to glimpse the 8th finals. This requires a victory, if possible improved, against the Stormers, at Paris La Défense Arena. While hoping that Harlequins and Sale do not score points at home… It remains to be seen the degree of motivation of the Ile-de-France residents to save their skin in the Champions Cup.
France
Rugby
