Rugby. Top 14: Paris can beat Clermont, La Rochelle must recover

Stade français can continue with a misplaced player

Regardless of the criticism: Stade Français, in the agony of the first forty minutes before raising the bar to beat Bayonne (28-24) after the siren, is still the leader.

Parisians (1^ers67 points) have the opportunity to consolidate their place on the throne in Clermont (11^E, 42 points), among Jaunards on alternating current. If not brilliant, the Pink Soldiers, backed by an impressively effective defense, are a formidable machine to disrupt the opponent.

With the expected returns of third line Fritz Lee and center George Moala, the Auvergnats have no choice but to hold their heads high after their loss to UBB (41-7).

Racing against the challenge of Toulouse

Toulouse – Racing 92 Stadium

This Saturday at 3 p.m

“Stop being too nice”: Racing 92 slogan gone. Residents of Ile-de-France (3^{they are}, 57 points) are moving to Toulouse with ambitions, as assured by hooker Jannick Tarit. “We have the opportunity to face, each in his position, what is best. The team that is perhaps the most consistent. At her. It’s a big challenge (…) But rugby is not one-on-one. If we want to get a result in Toulouse, the whole team will have to be extremely effective,” described international scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec, who was absent in the defeat at Rouge et Noir (31-7). champions cup

As proof of the importance of this meeting, Ugo Mola defeated the appeal of his soldiers: after the failure against RCT (20-19) last week at the Vélodrome, Toulouse will be able to rely on their French internationals (Mauvaka, Cros, Baille , Dupont, Ntamack…) and foreigners ( Kinghorn, Mallia, Arnold…).

Montpellier still believe in their lucky star

Montpellier – Perpignan

This Saturday at 5 p.m

The race for retention is increasingly clear for MHR (13^E, 38 points). With the arrival of the ambitious inhabitants of Perpignan (8^E49 points), who can still dream of a place in the final stage, Montpellier must collect points to hope to get closer to Lyon, 12^E and the first non-relegation.

So accepting the Catalans is worth its weight in gold. Especially as the week was marred by controversy surrounding the number of seats allocated to away supporters.

Confident and backed by the 4,000 fans expected in Montpellier, USAP arrive with a knife between their teeth. Perpignan remains on four successes, the latest of which is a demonstration against Lyon (51-20) that leaves them dreaming. The complete opposite of Héraultais, who have just suffered two setbacks at home.

Toulon and La Rochelle need points

Stade Rochelais – RC Toulon

This Sunday at 9:00 p.m

“Everything will be important from now until the end. » For Toulon (4^E55th point), which is a challenge for La Rochelle (6th^E, 52 points), the slightest mistake is prohibited. “Any points we can get back, we’re going to have to get them back,” warned Var mainstay Dany Priso, who played for Maritime from 2016 to 2022.

“If they are European champions twice, it is not for nothing and at the moment they are still in the top 14 (…). “They are a scary team and we really have to respect them,” he assured.

Dreaming of a first Brennus Shield, La Rochelle will be looking to get back into the Top 14 after two straight defeats, against Leinster (40-13) in the Champions Cup and then Castres (25-24) in the Championship.

At other meetings on Castres (9^E49 points) will move to the red lantern Oyonnax (14^E26 points), while Bayonne (10^E44 points) wins Bordeaux-Bègles (5th^E, 54 points). Finally Lyon (12^E42 points), in bad condition, will try to turn around with the arrival of Pau (7th^E50 points).