It makes or breaks for RC Vannes! This Saturday, the Morbihannais play their last group match in the Challenge Cup and, to put it simply, a victory or a draw would qualify them for the round of 16 while a defeat would eliminate them.
Even if the main objective remains the Top 14, qualifying for the final phase would add luster to the RCV season. Especially since, since the launch of the Top 14 in 2005, only three of the 33 promoted have achieved this feat (Biarritz in 2021-2022, Brive in 2013-2014 and La Rochelle in 2010-2011).
The statistic must be put into perspective because the new formula, introduced last season, qualifies four teams per group of six. But it still proves the difficulty of playing on several tables when you are promoted to the Top 14.
The Vannes will not start as favorites in this “final” for qualification at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli. “They (the Scarlets players) are playing their qualifier at home. And for them, as for Edinburgh, the Challenge Cup is a major objective in the season,” confided Jean-Noël Spitzer at a press conference.
The Scarlets and their Welsh internationals
Despite the absence of two important players due to injury, hooker Ryan Elias (44 caps with Wales) and fly-half Sam Costelow (18), the Scarlets have other assets. They will be able to count in particular on the former Welsh international (77 caps), Gareth Davies. The 34-year-old scrum half, two titles in the Six Nations Tournament (2019 and 2021) and three participations in World Cups (2015, 2019 and 2023), will start. Just like six players called up with the Leek XV for the next Six Nations: wingers Ellis Mee and Blair Murray, centers Joe Roberts and Eddie James, full-back Tom Rogers and right pillar Henry Thomas. Also called up, left pillar Kemsley Mathias will start on the bench.
-“Fifita wasn’t All Black for nothing”
“The Scarlets are still a good team,” continues the manager of RC Vannes. I wouldn't say it's superior to Edinburgh. I think they don't have the same speed in the third curtain. But they have more power up front. I think they have a much more solid conquest. They have some big ball carriers that Edinburgh didn't necessarily have. I think of (Vaea) Fifita, even if he is a ball carrier with speed. »
The former All Black (11 caps), who now represents Tonga, will start in the third row. “I tried to get him to come here. He's a great player and he's very close to Sione Kalamafoni. But, financially, we had fallen a little short. He is an extraordinary player who has incredible speed, who is capable of decisive actions. He is an excellent jumper in touch. He wasn't an All Black for nothing. »
Another exciting match for the Vannes residents, a high-stakes match with one goal: qualification.
