French clubs shine in the 16th round of the European Cup, with five qualifying for the quarter-finals and two Franco-French shocks in the program
One elimination on the green carpet, another against the reigning champions, and, above all, the five French clubs in the European Cup quarter-finals: La Rochelle, Clermont, Toulouse, Racing 92 and Bordeaux-Bugles are based in European countries on a roller coaster. A record.
92 racing on the road
Seven Tests and more than 50 points difference and the fourth consecutive European quarter-final: Racing 92 was ruthless in front of Edinburgh, swallowing 56-3 without batting an eyelid. Ile-de-France residents were trampled, with Hamish Watson, the best player of the 2021 tournament, and Duhan van der Merwe, the top try scorer in the 2021 tournament, just two minutes into the Seal et Blancs. At trial time, James Johnston finally refused.
Then the racing machine started, unstoppable. Serene, who carries an active cam chat, and the people of Laurent Travers have never forced themselves to escape the washed-out scouts.
Almost perfect this afternoon, the center of the main black dot and Captain Henry Chavansi (right shoulder displacement, 27), second row Dominic Bird (neck, 61st), Virimi Vakatawa (knee, 68th). Chavanzi has already lost the quarterfinal against UBB.
Jalibert wears UBB
Matthew Jalibert, who impressed with the Blues in the Six Nations tournament, has now confirmed his best form: with 22 points, all on foot, sending UBB’s first half Gerontins to the quarter-finals, the first in the European Cup to Bordeaux-Bugles.
The men of Christophe Urios, who faced Bristol (36-17) in the European Challenge last season, were ready for their recent poor performance.
“It was complicated and we knew Bristol was a great team. We especially want to respond, which we are very proud of. We didn’t want to target the European Cup, we wanted to go as far as we could. Playing matches like that is progressing. We wanted to show that we have the ability to win the finals. I am happy and proud, ”he said.
Tallus and Clermont are strong
In the words of Yugo Mola, “an XXL performance” for Tou Lous. With a 40-33 win at Munster Stadium, which no one has won in Europe since 2015, Toulouse Stadium has done more than just validate its twentieth ticket to the quarter-finals in its history.
With the key to the performance of the offensive game, a huge setback for the teammates of Antoine DuPont and Romain Nattamak before going to challenge Clermont at the Marcel-Michelin Stadium.
At the last minute, Kottaro overtook Overgne Wasps (27-25) from Matsushima, thanks to an experiment transformed by Camille Lopez. However, they only led the score for seven minutes: between 18 and 24, and then in the final seconds. In any case, Clermontois and Toulouse will face off for revenge in the final of the Top 14.
Power5
The five French clubs in the quarter-finals of the European Cup are just a record. Since the first edition, in the 1995-1996 season, the Top 14 has not sent so many delegates to the European Top 8. Three last season, two in 2019, four in 2018, but never five.
La Rochelle led the way on Friday with a short work by Gloucester (27-16). Even the elimination of Lyon is not a shame. The LOU, which broke the extension (47-25), has been around for a long time for the European champions. Weapons in hand, before giving.
The last black point is from Ireland: Tollon fell in front of Leinster without playing, and Pandemic and EPCR were knocked off the green carpet. The RCT is considering the decision to start a new controversy, whether to seek compensation or not to re-enter the European Cup.
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