Toulouse, Racing 92 to determine fate againstWasps and Leicester
Toulouse and Racing 92 can get closer to qualifying in the European Cup if successful on Saturday and Sunday against two English clubs, Wasps and Leicester. During this third day, Castres is almost sentenced to the feat on the lawn of Munster.
Hen 1. Continue the no-fault: the Stade Toulousain has won its first two meetings to take the lead of this hen relieved, he can not afford the slightest relaxation, with only two points ahead of Leinster, champion in title who will move to Bath to win.
To keep the hand, and take at least one step towards a best second ticket, the Red and Black are probably obliged to win at Coventry on the ground Wasps, an old rival. They have faced the “Wasps” eight times in the competition, for two painful memories: the biggest defeat of their history (77-17 in October 1996) and another in the final in 2004 (27-20).
Before finding the English at home a week later, they can count on their current form, since they remain on seven wins in all competitions ranks, and the return of their N.8 NZ Jerome Kaino after five weeks suspension. The Wasps, on their side, are condemned to win their first success if they want to keep a hope of qualification, like Bath.
Saturday
(4:15 pm) Bath (ENG) – Leinster (IRL)
(6:30 pm) Wasps (ENG) – Toulouse
Rating: Pts JGNP pp pc dif Good
1. Toulouse 8 2 2 0 0 50 47 3 0
2. Leinster 6 2 1 0 1 79 31 48 2
3. Bath 4 2 0 1 1 55 57 -2 2
4. Wasps 3 2 0 1 1 38 87 -49 1
Pool 2. If Toulouse would be well-advised to win, Castres is almost obliged to win at Munster, leader two points ahead of him, if he does not want to see the Irish take off. The reigning French champion, who hopes to pass the group phase for the first time in 17 years, is looking for a feat at Thomond Park, where only one French club has won (Clermont in 2014).
Still beaten in eleven trips to the Irish provinces, he tackles his trip after a surprising home defeat in the league against the badly-ranked Agen (16-13), which has ulcerated his sports director Christophe Urios, disappointed with the behavior of his players. He let them know and expects a reaction from them.
Exeter, vice-champion of England in title, must for its part open his home win against Gloucester to maintain his chances of qualification.
Saturday
(2:00 pm) Exeter (ENG) – Gloucester (ENG)
Sunday
(14h00) Munster (IRL) – Castres
Rating: Pts JGNP pp pc dif Good
1. Munster 7 2 1 1 0 46 32 14 1
2. Castres 5 2 1 0 1 43 44 -1 1
3. Gloucester 4 2 1 0 1 41 50 -9 0
4. Exeter 3 2 0 1 1 35 39 -4 1
Pool 3. Symbolic goals: the only team without a single point, Lyon aims to win against Glasgow, more to open his counter in the European Cup, which he discovers, and spice up the end of his campaign only to hope to hang a qualification very compromised. A success would also offer a good exit to the second Argentine international line Manuel Carizza, who will hang up at 34, the crampons at the end of this meeting.
Not easy, because the Scots, at the head of their conference in Pro 14, will move to stick to the Basques Saracens, leaders who should easily have Cardiff.
Saturday
(14h00) Lyon – Glasgow (SCO)
Sunday
(14h00) Saracens (ENG) – Cardiff (WAL)
Rating: Pts JGNP pp pc dif Good
1. Saracens 9 2 2 0 0 42 13 29 1
2. Glasgow 5 2 1 0 1 32 25 7 1
3. Cardiff 4 2 1 0 1 42 50 -8 0
4. Lyon 0 2 0 0 2 31 59 -28 0
Pool 4. The victory with the offensive bonus won by the Ulster (24-25) on Friday night on the Scarlets pitch has completely revived the Irish, back to Racing 92 (9 pts). It obliges the Francilians, finalists in title, to win if possible with the point of offensive bonus against Leicester to regain his ease in mind and relegate the English away (5 pts).
The mission is affordable against a struggling opponent in the league (8th place after three defeats in a row) for the Sky and White decided to finally enter the competition to their list of achievements this season. On AC Top 14 but more attractive in Europe, they have prepared their reunion with the “Tigers” by preserving last weekend (in La Rochelle championship) their Finn Russell, Simon Zebo and Wenceslas Lauret.
Friday
Scarlets (WAL) (bds) – Ulster (IRL) (bo) 24 – 25
Sunday
(4:15 pm) Racing 92 – Leicester (ENG)
Rating: Pts JGNP pp pc dif Good
1. Racing 92 9 2 2 0 0 58 25 33 1
2. Ulster 9 3 2 0 1 61 78 -17 1
3. Leicester 5 2 1 0 1 55 51 4 1
4. Scarlets 2 3 0 0 3 64 84 -20 2
Pool 5. A clash between cripples: badly ranked in the league and without a victory in the European Cup, Toulon receives Montpellier who remains on four defeats during his last five meetings in all competitions. With still a slight hope of qualification, which would be reduced to nothing in case of a new defeat at Mayol.
(AFP)
