It is a European Rugby Cup caught up by the health crisis and the fifth epidemic wave which began this weekend. In this context, the formula of last year, with fewer meetings and a very tight schedule, has been renewed. Eight French clubs (Stade Toulouse, La Rochelle, Bordeaux-Bègles, Racing 92, Stade français, Clermont, Montpellier, Castres) are playing in the continental competition this season.
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Toulouse, on the way to defend its title
Saturday, December 11, against Cardiff, greatly reduced by the quarantine linked to Covid-19 which has hit its workforce in recent days, Toulouse, the defending champion, won with the bonus point (39-7).
The Welsh, with five players who made their debut in the first team, sold their skin dearly, but the Toulouse talent, in particular that of Antoine Dupont – just named best player in the world -, author of a test and originally direct from three others, made the difference.
Toulouse manager Ugo Mola was satisfied with his team’s entry into contention: “We fulfilled the contract, with flashes that are sometimes very talented, interesting things in terms of the level of play and moments of weakness. We were a good part of the first period within reach of a block, but we took cover then. As always, with this European Cup, everything is accelerated, everything is exacerbated. ”
Union Bordeaux Bègles falls at home
It was a duel of leaders: on the lawn of Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux, first of the Top 14, welcomed Leicester, at the head of the English championship. Dominated in the first period, the players coached by Christophe Urios were able to stay in the match, with a try from Jean-Baptiste Dubié, just before the break.
The second period was a matter of penalties. In this game, George Ford, the English opener from Leicester, scored three points for victory, five minutes from the end of the match (13-16). A bad deal for the Bordelais on their land, in a European Cup where only four games are played during the group stage.
Clermont misses his debut against Ulster
Clermont also missed his European debut and made it more difficult for the qualification by bowing from the start on his home ground against the Irish province of Ulster, with a score of 29-23. The Clermontois do not. have only the meager consolation of having snatched the defensive bonus point in the last moments.
“We didn’t get into the game very well. We made too many mistakes and, under these conditions, it’s difficult to chase after the score ”, admitted Damien Penaud, author of a double, on BeInSport.
Montpellier pays dearly for its deadlock in Exeter
Montpellier, which has obviously not made Europe its priority this season, only held half time in Exeter before logically sinking in the face of stronger (42-6). In an excellent dynamic currently in the league, the MHR, winner of the last European Challenge – the “small” European Cup – presented a team largely overhauled, without most of its executives, left to rest for the occasion.
The Héraultais despite everything held the high dragee for a half time at the 2020 European champion, returned to the locker room with only one point ahead (7-6). But in the end, the stalemate is expensive against the club
A dead end that he paid dearly against the English club, and his Scots Stuart Hogg and Jonny Gray, author of a hat-trick.
Racing is finally waking up
After three defeats in a row in the championship, Racing 92, who played Friday, December 10, enjoyed themselves on the lawn of Northampton. In this large victory (14-45), the Scottish Finn Russell shone: the magician found, author of four assists – on the double of Juan Imhoff (at 23e and 37e minutes) and for two of Wenceslas Lauret’s three essays (at the 8e and at the 42e minute) – brought hell to the Saints.
“We had a good performance, but it’s only one game, there are still three to qualify. Since the start of the season, it’s been our benchmark match, our most successful match: we played a good part in defense, in attack, in conquest… ”, underlined Gaël Fickou after the good performance of the Ile-de-France residents.
