The Top 14 regular season ends this weekend with a decisive 26th and final day. Stade Français should validate its ticket for the semi-finals, while La Rochelle could win against Racing 92 to finish in the top 6. Here are our predictions.
Bayonne – Castres
This is one of the decisive matches of this end of the regular phase. In the event of a victory in Bayonne, the Castres could hope to finish in the top 6 and qualify for the final phase. They remain on a victory against Stade Français on the last day. Problem is, they haven’t won away since February 3. Facing Bayonne at home, who will want to finish the season well, the mission promises to be delicate.
Our prediction: victory for Bayonne
UBB – Oyonnax
Union Bordeaux-Bègles can hope to finish 3rd at the end of this last day. For this, Matthieu Jalibert and his teammates must score points against Oyonnax. Few months ago, they won at the Charles-Mathon stadium. At home, in a packed Chaban-Delmas as usual, Yannick Bru’s men could explode the Oyomen and finish the regular season with a bang, while waiting for their play-off match the following week.
Our prediction: improved victory for UBB
Clermont – Montpellier
The people of Clermont can still believe in a qualification, thanks to a very particular scenario. Christophe Urios’ men must pocket the offensive bonus. Opposite, the Montpellier staff are rotating, one week before a play-off match which will decide whether the MHR remains in the elite. The Héraultais should not be able to compete against Clermont, away, who should therefore end the season on a very good note and at least secure a qualifying place for the Champions Cup.
Our prediction: improved victory for Clermont
La Rochelle – Racing 92
This is a highly anticipated poster. La Rochelle (5th), hosts Racing 92 (6th). The loser could be knocked out of the top 6. After a delicate season for both clubs, the winner should finally see the light by qualifying for the play-offs. The Rochelais are regulars in the final phase in recent seasons, when Racing 92 has always been present in the play-offs since 2009. At home, Ronan O’Gara’s men have a significant advantage.
Our prediction: victory for La Rochelle
Lyon – Stade Toulousain
It is a match without stakes between the 12th and the leader of the championship. Le Lou is maintained in the Top 14 and Stade Toulousain is qualified. Ugo Mola and his staff are also working with a young team. Lyon, for its part, wants to end the season on a good note, in front of its home crowd. But faced with the irresistible Red and Black this year, and even without their main executives left to rest, the mission promises to be far from easy.
Our prediction: victory for Stade Toulousain, defensive bonus for Lyon
Stade Français – Toulon
Decisive poster from this last day. The winner will directly qualify for the semi-finals. Toulon has had an excellent end to the season and can believe in direct access to the last four. If several executives should be left to rest, the Toulonnais maintain a competitive team. For its part, Stade Français, in the top two for a very long part of the season, can be ejected on this last day. At home, Laurent Labit’s men will want to avoid such a disappointment at all costs.
Our prediction: victory for Stade français, defensive bonus for Toulon
Pau – Perpignan
Perpignan is one victory away from an immense feat. Qualify for the final phase of Top 14. The Catalans want to continue a lively season from start to finish. Faced with Pau, eliminated from the race for the top 6 but who will want to win at home to participate in the Champions Cup next season, the task promises to be perilous. The Palois also leave with a major advantage, that of receiving. At the start of the season, they largely won at Aimé-Giral.
Our prediction: victory for Pau
