Paris (AFP)

Toulouse and La Rochelle qualified directly for the semi-finals, Clermont and the French Stadium who join Bordeaux-Bègles and Racing 92 in the final phase, Bayonne threatened with relegation: the regular season of Top 14 delivered its verdict on Saturday during a 26th day full of suspense.

- Toulouse and La Rochelle pattern size -

The last French champion (2019) and his La Rochelle runner-up dominated the regular season, having both already climbed to the final of the European Cup, won by Stade Toulouse two weeks ago in Twickenham. A point was enough for them to finish in the leading duo and save themselves a play-off before the semi-finals organized on June 18 and 19 in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. The Rouge et Noir won on Bordeaux-Bègles (21-10) while the Maritimes were content with a defensive bonus in Clermont (25-20 defeat). They will now be able to recharge their batteries when their competitors, Racing 92, Bordeaux-Bègles, Clermont and the French Stadium will have to play a chopper match next Friday and Saturday to reach the last four.

- Clermont and the stunning Stade Français in the play-offs -

Relief in Auvergne and joy in Paris.

Clermont had his destiny in his hands to go to the final phase and ensured by beating La Rochelle at the Marcel-Michelin stadium.

The Stade Français is back in the final six years after its last title of champion of France.

It's a nice rebound after a nightmarish 2019-2020 season ended in last place when competition was stopped due to a pandemic.

In 2021, Gonzalo Quesada's team arrived at their ends thanks to a cannonball end of the season punctuated by a sixth consecutive victory on Saturday in Bayonne (12-9) at the end of the suspense.

He will meet Racing 92 for a hot derby in Nanterre when Clermont goes to UBB land.

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- Huge disappointment for Toulon -

Despite its shining workforce and financial means, the RCT still missed the final phase.

This is the second time in a row, since the 2019-2020 fiscal year could not be completed due to the pandemic and the Var team finished in ninth place in 2018-2019.

The club with the three European crowns (2013, 2014, 2015) and the fourth elite budget (32.5 M EUR forecast) could have done better if it had known how to travel better this season.

Patrice Collazo's team won only three times away from home (Racing 92, Pau, Agen), only one of which was for a candidate for qualification (Racing 92).

Ironically, the RCT ended with a crippling defeat in Castres (48-24), which he had deprived of qualification in 2019 in this same Pierre-Fabre stadium.

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- Pau saved, Bayonne catching up -

Bayonne, after its defeat against Stade Français (12-9) at home, finished penultimate place and will play a Basque derby which promises to be crisp in Biarritz next Saturday to ensure its maintenance.

Bayonne was in competition with Pau to avoid the penultimate place.

But the Bayonnais, who were yet four points ahead before this day, pocketed only the defensive bonus point against Stade Français.

And Pau dominated Montpellier (41-25) with the offensive bonus in the key.

The two teams finished with the same number of points (46) but Pau passed Bayonne thanks to its two successes against Rowing.

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- Agen ends "fanny" -

Sentenced to relegation since mid-April, the SUA ended its nightmarish season with a twenty-sixth defeat in as many matches, in Lyon (52-7).

This sad record is unheard of in the Top 14 and extremely rare in the history of French team sports.

The handball club of Billère also finished with twenty-six defeats in twenty-six games during the 2012-2013 season of the first division.

The team based in the suburbs of Pau nevertheless discovered the elite while Agen remains a stronghold of hexagonal rugby with its eight titles of champion of France, the last acquired in 1988. Slight mitigating circumstance: the SUA had the smallest elite budget (13.2 M EUR forecast) this season.

© 2021 AFP