Le Plessis-Robinson (France) (AFP)

A golden opportunity? Racing 92 can enjoy the reception of the modest Ospreys on Friday (20:45), and the move of Munster the next day on the field of Saracens to make the hole for the qualification for the quarter-finals of the European Cup from 4th day.

The manager of the Sky and White Laurent Travers agrees, he "would have signed both feet and both hands", at the time of the draw, to get out of this pool 4 of death composed of the titleholder (Saracens), 'a double winner (2006 and 2008) and triple semifinalist these past two seasons (Munster) in addition to his team, finalist in 2016 and 2018.

With 12 points on the clock, she would get closer if successful against the Welsh, especially with the point of offensive bonus, and victory Saracens (6 pts) against Munster (11 pts).

A highly plausible scenario. On the one hand because the English, at home after resisting Munster at home (10-3 defeat), will play their all-out to retain their crown.

On the other hand, because the Ospreys are in disarray (0 pt, a victory this season in all competitions) and did not make the home weight last Saturday (40-19), even if they were reduced to fourteen from the first minute.

The Parisians may well multiply the oratorical precautions, as Travers ("the British teams do not drop anything") or the center Olivier Klemenczak ("they have nothing to play and therefore will play every shot"), hard to imagine drop on the synthetic Nanterre.

- "We do not understand too much" -

Admittedly, this has happened to them three times since the beginning of the season (plus a draw), but in the league. In the European Cup, they are much more frisky, undefeated (two success and a draw on the field of Munster) after starting their campaign by a large success at the Arena against the Saracens (30-10).

"We drive a lot more in the European Cup than in the Top 14. Even we, players, we ask ourselves questions, it's hard to explain, we do not understand too much, it's quite bizarre" acknowledges the third line Fabien Sanconnie.

"We seem to have a different state of mind even if it is not wanted because we have a similar objective (to be champion)" abounds Klemenczak.

And to reach it in the league, the Racingmen (11th) will have to start by catching the wagon of the six qualified for the final phase, five lengths ahead.

Beyond the gross result, the meeting on Friday will also serve to prepare future domestic maturities, decisive with the receptions of Montpellier and Clermont, two direct competitors, interspersed with a trip to Brive.

After a lackluster performance last weekend despite the big win, they are expected in terms of content, to continue to grapple, dixit Travers, this "very difficult confidence to win, daily step by step, but very easy to lose. "

The starting XV

Racing 92: Zebo - Dupichot, Vakatawa, Chavancy (cape), Imhoff - (o) Volavola, (m) Machenaud - Chouzenoux, Tanga, Sanconnie - Palu, Do. Ryan - Gomes Sa, Baubigny, Ben Arous

Ospreys: C. Evans - Klim, Thomas - Wheeler, K. Williams, L. Morgan - (o) M. McKenzie, (m) Venter - Cross, Morris, Lydiate (Cape) - Ashley, Beard - Fia, Otten, N Smith

replacements

Racing 92: Cat, Kolingar, Dove, Bird, Jor. Joseph, Gibert, Klemenczak, Russell

Ospreys: Lake, Fawcett, Gardiner, Volpi, Wi. Jones, A. Davies, L. Price, T. Williams

Referee: Lule Pearce (ENG)

© 2019 AFP