“Rugby of the gods”, “elite”… the English press on its knees before the French clubs in the Champions Cup

Generally comfortable in the Champions Cup, the French clubs shone during the last day of the group stage, notably by the huge performance from Bordeaux-Bègles by Damian Penaud and Toulouse. What earned them praise from the English-speaking press.

Champions Cup: the English-speaking press praises French clubs

Not all the representatives of the Top 14 were at the party during the last weekend of the Champions Cup group stage. Stade Français even saw its “European” season come to an end.

On the other hand, on the side of Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Stade Toulousain, we could hardly dream of stronger performances against the South African Sharks for some and the Leicester Tigers for others.

Two indisputable triumphs with scores of 66-12 and 80-12, without forgetting the victory of Castres at Saracens 24-32, having triggered rave comments from the press across the Channel and the English-speaking press in general.

Toulouse “without pity”

After its English trip, it is Stade Toulousain which reaps the laurels of a good part of the Anglo-Saxon analysts. On the side of RugbyPassit was a “merciless” Toulouse who scored 6 tries after the break to “underline his intention to retain his title” and “inflicted a correction” on the English.

“Antoine Dupont shines as the reigning champions inflict a historic defeat on the Tigers after a merciless demonstration,” we can read in the columns of Daily Mail.

“There are some things in life for sports fans that you have to see in real life to fully appreciate. Lionel Messi's dribbling at full speed, the grace of Tiger Woods' swing, the ease of Roger Federer's backhand. For Rugby purists, Toulouse belongs to this elite category,” the article continues.

Who describes the Leicester Tigers “opened in two by a majestic French team” practicing nothing less than “the rugby of the gods”.

Pour Planet Rugby“this Toulouse team is perhaps the best club rugby has ever seen, setting themselves highly ambitious goals which they generally manage to achieve”.

Speaking to Premier Sport, former England captain Chris Robshaw described Ugo Mola's team in one word: “Scary. »

Bordeaux-Bègles and Penaud “unstoppable”

Before the rout inflicted by the Rouge et Noir on Michael Cheika's men, Bordeaux-Bègles had opened the way by shattering the Sharks who, after their long journey, at least had the pleasure of seeing a great show.

Always on Planet RugbyDamian Penaud reaps the praise: “The French winger proved unstoppable, scoring a hat-trick in each period and becoming the first player in history to score half a dozen tries in a match of the largest club competition in the northern hemisphere. »

“After Penaud's masterclass in the first period, the UBB not only kept its foot on the accelerator but put it on the floor,” the article continues.

“With ten tries scored in total against the Sharks, Bordeaux sealed a resounding victory, solidifying their status as the team to beat this season in the Champions Cup,” writes RugbyPass.

The Times title elsewhere: “Six tries for Penaud and 80 points for Toulouse, the French send a warning to Gatland (Wales coach, editor’s note). »

The Castres surprise

We must admit that we expected a comfortable victory from UBB, perhaps to a lesser extent from Toulouse. Perhaps the feat of the weekend, the real one, is ultimately to be put to the credit of Castres, winner of Saracens and hailed by the Guardian.

“Maybe it was because they weren't given many chances after making 15 changes, but the visitors caught Saracens cold,” it read.

“The representatives of the Top 14 sealed a deserved victory giving rise to wild celebrations,” publishes the BBC.

Let's hope now that the praise will be just as numerous after the weekend of 8^es finals on April 4, 5 and 6.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.