Paris (AFP)

An elimination on the green carpet, another against the defending champion but also, and above all, five French clubs in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Cup: La Rochelle, Clermont, Toulouse, Racing 92 and Bordeaux-Bègles are mounted in the European roller coaster.

A record.

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Racing 92 on the road

Seven tests, more than 50 points difference and a fourth European quarter-final in a row: Racing 92 was ruthless in front of Edinburgh, swallowed 56-3 without batting an eyelid.

Trampled by the Ile-de-France residents, the teammates of Hamish Watson, best player in the 2021 Tournament, and Duhan van der Merwe, top try scorer in the 2021 Tournament, worried the Ciel et Blancs for only two minutes.

The time of a test, finally refused to James Johnstone.

Then the Racing machine started, unstoppable and relentless.

Serene, Laurent Travers' men, carried by a lively Camille Chat, have never forced themselves to get rid of washed-up Scots.

In this almost perfect afternoon, the main black spot came from the more or less serious injuries of the center and captain Henry Chavancy (dislocation of the right shoulder, 27th), of the second row Dominic Bird (neck, 61st) and Virimi Vakatawa (knee, 68th).

Chavancy is already forfeited for the quarter against UBB.

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Jalibert carries Bordeaux-Bègles

Impressive with the Blues during the Six Nations Tournament, Matthieu Jalibert confirmed his good form at the moment: with 22 points, all at the foot, the opening half of the UBB sent the Girondins to the quarter-finals, the first in European Cup for Bordeaux-Bègles.

Faced with Bristol (36-17), who eliminated them in the European Challenge last season, Christophe Urios' men made up for their recent poor performance.

"It was complicated, we knew that Bristol is a great team. Us, we especially wanted to react, it's a lot of pride. We had not necessarily targeted the European Cup, we just wanted to go as far as possible . Playing matches like that makes progress. We wanted to show that we are capable of winning finals matches. I'm happy and proud, "said the hero of the day.

Thanks WHO?

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Toulouse and Clermont in strong

"An XXL performance" for Toulouse, in the words of Ugo Mola.

By winning 40-33 on the ground of Munster, where no one had won in Europe since 2015, the Toulouse Stadium did more than validate the 20th ticket for the quarter-finals in its history.

With the key to a demonstration of offensive play, the teammates of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack struck a big blow before going to challenge Clermont at the Marcel-Michelin stadium.

The Auvergne, them, overturned the Wasps (27-25) thanks to a test, at the last minute, from Kotaro Matsushima, transformed by Camille Lopez.

However, they only led in the score for seven minutes: between the 18th and 24th minutes and then at the last second.

Whatever, Clermontois and Toulouse will meet for a revenge of the last final of Top 14.

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Power 5

Five French clubs in the quarter-finals of the European Cup is quite simply a record.

Never since the first edition, during the 1995-1996 season, had the Top 14 sent so many representatives to the European Top 8.

Three last season, two in 2019, four in 2018, but never five.

La Rochelle had shown the way on Friday by making short work of Gloucester (27-16).

Even the elimination of Lyon is not shameful.

The LOU, crunched by Exeter (47-25), has long stood up to the reigning European champions.

Before giving in, arms in hand.

The only black point finally comes from Ireland: Toulon fell in front of Leinster, without playing, eliminated on the green carpet by the pandemic and the EPCR.

A decision that opened a new controversy, the RCT considering claiming compensation, or even not re-engaging in the European Cup.

© 2021 AFP