flawless for Bordeaux-Bègles and Toulouse, Clermont and La Rochelle at the finish… Update on the French qualifiers for the round of 16

The French clubs have achieved an almost full performance and will be present in large numbers in the final phase of the Champions Cup.

There will only be 16 left. The last day of the Champions Cup delivered its verdict, Sunday January 19, and approved the posters for the round of 16. Of the eight Top 14 clubs present on the starting line, six have already validated their ticket for the final phase. Already qualified at the end of the 3rd day, Union Bordeaux-Bègles achieved a flawless performance, with four victories (bonus) in as many matches. Stade Toulouse, in the same group, imitated it even if it finished second with four victories, including (only) three won with the offensive bonus. Toulon, which has also already booked its ticket for the final phase, could imitate them in the event of victory in its last meeting against Sale.

The result of the Toulon match could also help Racing 92, winner of its last match against the Stormers on Saturday evening and for the moment last qualified from group 4. A position that the Ile-de-France residents will keep if Sale does not win.

In a favorable tie at the start of the day, Stade Rochelais, double winner of the competition, will also be there, despite a final defeat on the lawn of Benetton Treviso (25-32) on Saturday. Heroic winners of Bristol six minutes after the siren (33-26), the Clermontois also won the last qualifying place in their group. Qualified without playing on Saturday thanks to the other results of its group, Olympic Castres gained a position in the ranking by winning (32-24) on the Saracens pitch. Stade Français, which has only won one match, is so far the only one to have missed the mark.

Reigning finalists and URC leaders Leinster, reigning English champions Northampton and 2024 European semi-finalists Harlequins have all qualified. But not Bath and Bristol, currently leading the English championship.

The French clubs have also generally been successful in the Challenge Cup, with four teams already qualified. Author of a perfect course, Montpellier finished at the top of group 2, in which the Pau Section also qualified. LOU will also be in the round of 16, while Aviron Bayonnais validated its qualification by winning its last match (55-17 against Gloucester). The Perpignans imitated them by winning on the lawn of Zebre Parma (39-21). With only one victory on the clock, the promoted Vannes player was unable to play for the qualifying places.