Top 14 – Castres-Pau: what position for the championship, qualification for the Champions Cup… the OC is entering a pivotal month of January

You know the saying: dry and wise January is a good omen. Even if it should rain above Pierre-Fabre this Saturday, Castres Olympique must absolutely win against Pau to brighten its horizon and dissipate the winter fog that surrounds it. Because he remains on two consecutive defeats, including the first of the season at home against Bordeaux just before Christmas (3-13). Once again, the Tarnais have stalled as the end-of-year holidays approach and find themselves swimming between two waters. Halfway through, they are at 8^e place in the ranking, five points from the top 6 but also from 13^e roadblock place.

Also read:
INTERVIEW. Castres Olympique: “Having an eye down the rankings…” Jack Goodhue discusses the delicate period of the OC and hopes for a rapid rebound

So the Pau reception seems to be a crucial meeting. Like all the others, replied the Castres. In a way, they are not wrong, all matches bring the same number of points and the one against the Béarnais is no exception to the rule, but a success would allow them to reassure themselves, look again towards the top of the ranking and attack the year 2025 is off to a good start. And its pivotal month of January, which looks like a 90 degree turn. A tricky bend, strewn with ice, where a fall awaits you. Especially since at the moment, the Tarnais do not give the impression of riding a 4×4, but rather a road bike.

Qualification at stake in the Champions Cup

“It’s clear that it’s a very important month. You just have to look at the ranking. Either we switch to one side or the other”, says the Olympian second row, Guillaume Ducat, aware of the copious menu which expects his family in January. With the return of the Champions Cup next week, where the Blue and White will play a qualification for the final stages, the objective clearly stated by the Tarnais. To reach it, we will have to win one of the two matches against the Bulls, next Saturday at Pierre-Fabre, or against Saracens, the following week.

Also read:
CO: Théo Chabouni, the hopeful who challenges his elders at Castres Olympique… we explain how

Afterwards ? The Top 14 will resume its rights and Mathieu Babillot’s teammates will travel twice in a row. On the Racing 92 grounds, first, to complete their month of January. Then on Catalan soil to challenge the USAP after a two-week break. Two opportunities for the Castres to finally achieve a first success far from their bases and to balance the books. “We have been aiming for away victories for a while but we must first start a positive dynamic with a success at home against Pau, who are only three points away,” recalls Jeremy Davidson.

Also read:
Top 14 – Bayonne-Castres: “Not very logical…” The CO’s tutorial for scuttling yourself in the money time of a meeting

The CO manager wants to take it step by step in this month of January, which he hopes will be brighter than that of 2024, where his team notably lost in his garden against Clermont (20-23). Before finding a smile again at the beginning of February in… Pau (44-33).