Paris (AFP)
Ulster for a good shot, Connacht for full points, Leinster for learning and Munster for testing: the weekend will have nothing of a ballad for Clermont, Toulouse, Lyon and Racing 92, opposed to the Irish provinces during the 2nd day of the European Cup from Friday to Sunday.
. Green lights: Clermont the occasion, Toulouse the obligation
First French club to rub a representative of the green Erin, the ASM moves to Belfast (Friday, 20.45) reassured by its improved success against the Harlequins (53-21). The Northern Irish have beaten Bath (17-16), they are now the main opponent of a hen raised but not insurmountable for the Auvergnats, who move with all their forces to make a blow: a success at Kingspan Stadium and the way to the quarter-finals would be clear. A defeat would be nothing dramatic, especially if it is offset by one (or two) bonus.
Toulouse, however, has an obligation to win at home against Connacht, Ireland's least equipped province with the New Zealand center Bundee Aki as the only major international. The danger was to take high the Galway team, which proved that it had its place in the competition by beating Montpellier (23-20) on the opening day.
. Verdicts: Racing, Lyon, progression?
Racing 92 hopes to have definitively turned the page of its sad beginning of season by dominating with the bonus (30-10) the Saracens bis, come to La Defense without their international English still at rest. "I think Saracens came to win, contrary to what many people say," says Laurent Travers. The Londoners "were surprised by our start of the match, by the commitment we put in. Will we be able to repeat the same performance?" Asked the head coach who knows that the Limerick's rendezvous, in the rain and wind, will be a huge test for his troops, looking for stability to finally put his name on the European trophy.
That's good, the Munster is a model of stability, semi-finalist of the last 3 editions, almost impregnable at Thomond Park and wide winner at Ospreys (32-13) Saturday. In short, a monument of European rugby. "It's going to be a great adventure, a great challenge, a big challenge," said Travers, whose team would, in case of success, have the best chance of getting out of Pool 4, the real "chicken of death". " On paper.
Lyon, beaten without demerit Northampton (25-14), does not aim at qualifying but first a first victory in the event. What's more beautiful than getting it at Gerland in front of Leinster, 2018 champion, finalist 2019 and who co-holds with Toulouse the trophy record (4)? The leader of the Top 14, whose progress has been dazzling since his accession to the elite in 2016, is a dream setting for his first European feat.
. Others: La Rochelle and Montpellier, redemption?
The Rochelais drank the cup against Exeter (12-31) and strongly compromised their chances of qualifying. All is not lost if you win in Sale, beaten in Glasgow and perhaps the most select opponent of Pool 2. But the players of Ronan O'Gara, very clumsy against the Chiefs and struggling to apply the new defensive systems of the Irish, are they capable?
The losing team will most likely go to the exit. This is also valid for Montpellier and Gloucester, the two initial losers of pool 5 who find themselves in the Hérault with the same imperative of victory. The MHR will not be able to count on his opener Handré Pollard: the South African world champion, who arrived Tuesday in his new club, still has to treat a fractured cheekbone.
Program of the 2nd day:
Friday
Hen 3
(8:45 pm) Ulster (IRL) - Clermont (FRA)
Saturday
Hen 1
(14h00) Treviso (ITA) - Northampton (ENG)
(16h15) Lyon (FRA) - Northampton (ENG)
Hen 2
Exeter (ENG) - Glasgow (SCO)
Hen 3
(6:30 pm) Harlequins (ENG) - Bath (ENG)
Hen 4
(2:00 pm) Saracens (ENG) - Ospreys (WAL)
(18h30) Munster (IRL) - Racing 92 (FRA)
Hen 5
(14h00) Toulouse (FRA) - Connacht (IRL)
Sunday
Hen 2
(2:00 pm) Dirty (ENG) - La Rochelle (FRA)
Hen 5
(16h15) Montpellier (FRA) - Gloucester (ENG)
© 2019 AFP