the Top 14 lagging behind on the European scene
Only three French teams (out of eight entered) have qualified for the knockout stages of the European Cup.
Fortunately, Stade Rochelais, the defending champions, and Stade Toulousain, its predecessor on the money list, have graced the Top 14 by winning their eight games. To take the first two places in Group B, which guarantees him receptions in 8I am finals, then in all quarters. Montpellier also crossed the cut. Without reaching the average, with only one win, one draw and two defeats. For the other five French clubs it’s up to Berezina: 17 cumulative defeats in 20 matches! For five eliminations. Against only one in each of the previous two seasons…
La Rochelle and Toulouse without shaking, the MHR without shining
The European champion from La Rochelle maintained his position, collecting four successes against Ulster and Northampton. Toulouse were equally authoritative, dominating the Irish of Munster and the English of Sale at home and away. The French champion, Montpellier, completes the cast, but without convincing. Like his last group game on Sunday: 21-21 at home against the modest Irish Londoners.
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Racing and UBB fall from above
The people of Ile-de-France had, once again, shown their great ambitions in the European Cup, with its president, organizer of singing tours, in the lead. But the latter, still little concerned about the comfort of his players, had preferred the royalties of three concerts by rapper Orelsan, organized in their stadium La Défense Arena, to the launch of the European campaign of Racing 92. in the province of Leinster moved to Le Havre. Deprived of bearings, Fickou and her companions were sunk (course 10-42). Backed into the wall, they had to pull off the feat of winning in Dublin on Saturday, during the 4And and the last day of the group stage. A hope maintained for 53 minutes, before exploding by conceding five tries (36-10).
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The failure is bitter, as last season’s semi-finalists Racing fail to qualify for the finals for the first time in six years. “It’s a disappointmentadmits the manager of Ciel et Blanc, Laurent Travers. Our ambition was very different.“However, he assures that his club, donated to the consoling Challenge Cup (like Lyon and Clermont), “will honor this competition»…
Great disappointment also for the UBB, which imagined a European destiny. Patatras, four defeats and not even a recovery with the small Champions Cup. Something that bothered Julien Laïrle, who took over the Gironde team with Frédéric Charrier following the sacking of Christophe Urios. “Individually, the players were not at the rendezvous of this European Cup. In terms of indiscipline, it’s catastrophic. When you make so many mistakes it’s a sign that everyone thinks of themselves and not of the team…Lyon and Clermont also disappointed with just one win each. As for the Castres, they were deadlocked (zero hits, no defensive bonuses). Another time…
South Africa in strength, Leinster untouchable
With just three survivors, the Top 14 pales in comparison to English clubs (5 out of 3), Irish provinces (3 out of 3) and newcomers, South African franchises. Who directly stole market share from the French by climbing all three to 8I am final for a complete card of the United Rugby Championship, ex Celtic League, which qualifies its eight representative by adding the Scottish of Edinburgh and the Welsh of the Ospreys…
The scarecrow of the competition, however, is Leinster. The Irish are the only ones to have lined up four bonus wins, scoring 28 tries (7 per game on average). 184 points scored in this way (with conversions), Sexton and co not having attempted a single penalty in 320 minutes of play!
