Bordeaux and Rochelais win with the bonus. Racing is already in 1/8th but Toulouse bows and complicates the task, while Montpellier has conceded 89 points in Ireland.
La Rochelle 39 – Bath 21
LA ROCHELLE. Half time: 20-0. DOTS. La Rochelle: 5 tries: from Danty (17), Picquette (23, 44), Leyds (53), Rhule (56), 4 conversions from Popelin (18, 24, 52, 56), 2 penalties from Popelin (9, 14). Bath: 3 tries from Jonker (58), Simpson (61), McConnochie (63), 3 conversions from Spencer. YELLOW CARDS. Bath: Ellis (42), Jonker (77).
La Rochelle did not miss the opportunity to get back into Pool A of the European Cup by dominating Bath (39-21) with the offensive bonus on Saturday in the cold and the fog from Deflandre. With now 11 points in the standings, the Maritimes are in an ideal position to qualify before the final day which will see them move to the Glasgow Warriors, whom they had defeated at the start of the event (20-13).
For an hour, there was no photo between the last European finalist and the last of the Premiership. The offensive bonus assured after the fifth try scored by Rhule (39-0, 56th), it was time for Ronan O’Gara to blow his frames. Unfortunately, the new blood injected coincided with Bath’s burst of pride. And how ! In six minutes, the first British European champion in history scored three tries.
The caravel club ended up regaining its senses and dominating the many scrums whistled by referee M. Evans but without being able to increase its capital of tries.
Wasps 30 – Toulouse 22
COVENTRY. Half time: 14-10. DOTS. Wasps: 3 tries Alo (18), Shields (22), Barbeary (67), 3 Gopperth conversions (18, 22, 67), 3 Gopperth penalties (42, 55, 79). Toulouse: 3 Cros attempts (1), Mauvaka (60), Meafou (80+1), 2 Ramos conversions (2, 80+3), 1 Ramos penalty (33). YELLOW CARDS. Toulouse: Jelonch (54). RED CARD. Wasps: Umaga (33).
Toulouse disrupted, Toulouse sunk. The champion of France and Europe, who has only played one match in a month and was deprived of Antoine Dupont, tripped over the carpet against Wasps (30-22) on Saturday during the 3rd day of the European Cup. A draw on the green carpet, a victory and a defeat on the pitch: the Red and Black’s European record is clearly not up to their ambitions.
To be able to defend their continental title and secure an eighth then a quarter-final at home, Stade Toulousain will have to roll up their sleeves during the last meeting, in a week, at home, against Cardiff. To ensure they receive, Toulouse must finish in the top four of their group, while Harlequins and Munster look like ogres with their three initial successes.
The goal seems within reach of Ugo Mola’s proteges. Provided they show another face than the one they showed in Coventry.
Ospreys 10 – Racing 25
SWANSEA. Half time: 10-8. DOTS. Ospreys: 1 Williams try (20), 1 Anscombe conversion (21), 1 Anscombe penalty (31). Racing 92: 3 tries Imhoff (33), Vakatawa (57), Thomas (71), 2 transformations Gibert (58, 72), 2 penalties Machenaud (6), Russell (66). YELLOW CARDS. Ospreys: Cuthbert (6), Griffiths (50).
Racing went to win a hard and worn victory against the Welsh Ospreys (25-10) on Saturday, during the third day of the European Cup, securing a place in the round of 16. With three successes in three days and 14 points gleaned, Racing is first in Pool A ahead of Ulster, who have 9 units and one game less, while the Ospreys bring up the rear with a scoreboard still blank.
The first period did not however materialize this gap in the standings, despite the good impression made at the start by the Parisians who reached the break with a two-point deficit (10-8). It finally took a second yellow card against the Welsh for the score to change with a try from Vakatawa. The end of the match was a little better controlled, Russell putting the Ospreys out of reach (18-10, 66th), before Thomas delivered the coup de grace (25-10, 71st) in this long victory to take shape.
Bristol 28 – French Stadium 17
BRISTOL. Half time: 14-7. DOTS. Bristol: 4 tries Purdy (14), O’Connor (23, 59), Randall (49), 4 transformations Sheedy (15, 24, 50, 60). Stade Français: 2 Barré tries (40), Burban (65), 2 Sanchez conversions (40, 66), 1 Sanchez penalty (47).
The English Bristol Bears secured their ticket to the knockout stages of the European Cup on Saturday by beating Stade Français (28-17), thanks to more control in an unbridled match. The team that made the fewest mistakes and was the most realistic won.
Bristol is thus guaranteed to be there for the round of 16, while for the Parisians, qualification will go through a victory against the Irish province of Connacht next Sunday at Jean-Bouin.
Leinster 89 – Montpellier 7
DUBLIN. Halftime: 40-7. Referee: Wayne Barnes. DOTS. Leinster: 13 tries from Conan (2.75), Gibson-Park (8), Byrne (13), Molony (23), Alaalatoa (33), Larmour (38), van der Flier (43, 50), O’ Brien (45), Sheehan (64, 68), Lowe (80), 12 Byrne transformations (4, 10, 14, 24, 35, 44, 46) and Sexton (51, 65, 70, 75, 80+2 ). Montpellier: 1 try from Dakuwaqa (26), 1 conversion from Foursans-Bourdette (27). RED CARD. Montpellier: Dakuwaqa (67).
With thirteen tries conceded and 82 points difference, Montpellier suffered Sunday at Leinster the heaviest setback ever suffered by a French club in the European Cup 89 to 7.
Reduced by cases of Covid and with executives at rest, Philippe Saint-André’s men also finished at 14 after the expulsion of Masivesi Dakuwaqa and never existed against the Irish who had already provided the offensive bonus after 24 minutes of play.
Bordeaux/Begles 45 Llanelli 10
BORDEAUX. Half time: 21-0. Spectators: 5000. Referee: Karl Dickson (ENG). DOTS. Bordeaux-Bègles: 7 attempts Woki (21), Bielle-Biarrey (27, 47, 74), G. Cros (30), Lamothe (58), Ducuing (64), 5 transformations Jalibert (21, 27, 30), Bielle-Biarrey (58), Cordero (74). Scarlets: 2 tries L. Williams (52), G. Davies (62). YELLOW CARDS. Scarlets: L. Williams (29), P. Price (80).
Bordeaux-Bègles took a very big step towards the knockout stages after their improved victory over the Scarlets (45-10) on Sunday in the mist of Chaban. Only a victory for Castres with the attacking bonus on the ground for Harlequins next weekend, combined with a dry setback for Christophe Urios’ men in Leicester, could deprive them of qualification. The objective against the Welsh of Llanelli, in obvious lack of competition, was simple on this Sunday: to win and if possible with the way. Mission accomplished and in what way for the leader of the Top 14 with seven tries, a guaranteed bonus from the 47th minute, and the hatching of yet another nugget for French rugby, the back Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 19 years old, who, for his first pro tenure, won a hat-trick and the title of best player of the match.
Clermont 25 – Sale 19
CLEMRONT. Half time: 19-19. Referee: Frank Murphy. DOTS. Clermont: 3 tries – Lee (13), Raka (23), Penaud (39), 2 transformations – Lopez (13, 39), 2 penalties – Parra (69, 74). Sale: 3 tries – Du Preez (6), Roebuck (26), Rodd (33), 2 conversions – Du Preez (26, 33). YELLOW CARDS. Dirty: James (40)
Clermont got back into the race for qualification for the round of 16 thanks to its 25-19 victory on Sunday against the English of Sale during the 3rd day. In Pool A, the Clermontois go back to 6th place with seven points, tied with the Sharks (7th). Clermont had lost its first home match against Ulster (23-29) which it will find on its ground, in Ireland, during the next day.
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