Paris (AFP)

Pass the second: Toulon and Bordeaux-Bègles, the two most ambitious French clubs this season in Challenge, will pass to the revealer of Scarlets and Edinburgh, their main rivals Friday on the second day.

The RCT missed in the league last season and is deprived of European Cup? He is not alone in this case.

The Scarlets, the best Welsh province in recent years and the backbone of the World Cup semi-finals in Japan (Jake Ball, Gareth Davies, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owens, Wyn Jones, Hadleigh Parkes ...) were surprised in hen by Treviso, then in barrage by the Ospreys.

Their arrival at Mayol Friday (21:00), even without the stars of the XV Leek still at rest, is a shock of the group stage between two regulars of the Grand Cup. Toulon will be able to count on one of his flagship recruits, the third line Sergio Parisse, captain of Italy during the World Cup. "With the experience and experience he has, whether in selection or in Top 14, he adapts and understands things very quickly," said manager Patrice Collazo, who placed the former French stage on the bench.

In Scotland, the turn will be just as tight for Bordeaux, opposed to 20:35 in Edinburgh, another frustrated Pro14. By winning with the bonus in Agen (31-10), the Caledonians have shown they were going far in the competition, as the UBB, winner of a spectacular match against the Wasps (40-30).

Brive is more concerned about maintaining the Top 14 and that did not stop him from winning at Stade Français (27-11) with his reservists. Which will be again on the bridge to try to beat Bristol (20:00), surprising leader of the English championship.

The other French clubs lost their first day and already play their survival if the competition is close to their hearts: this is the case of Pau, opposite Calvisano (20:00), and Castres receiving Worcester Saturday (14:00 ). We do not give chances of Agen to the Wasps or those of Bayonne to London Irish. A reaction of the Stade Français still in crisis in Parma, facing the Zebre, is hoped.

French Club Program

Friday:

Hen 2

(21h00) Toulon (FRA) - Scarlets (WAL)

Hen 3

(8:35 pm) Edinburgh (SCO) - Bordeaux-Bègles (FRA)

Hen 4

(8:00 pm) Brive (FRA) - Bristol (ENG)

Hen 5

Pau (FRA) - Calvisano (ITA)

Saturday:

Hen 1

(14h00) Castres (FRA) - Worcester (ENG)

Hen 2

(4 pm) London Irish (ENG) - Bayonne (FRA)

Hen 3

Wasps (ENG) - Agen (FRA)

Hen 4

Zebra (ITA) - French Stage (FRA)

© 2019 AFP