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La Rochelle, the time of confirmation

Stade La Rochelais seems to have recovered from its past disappointments.

After reaching the final of the Top 14 and the European Cup last season, the Maritimes have survived a difficult start to the season.

Here they are now in the race for qualification on the national and continental stages.

Ronan O'Gara's men are indeed on six victories in seven matches, including two in a row ahead of UBB.

A new success in front of the Girondin rival, who has not beaten them since November 2019, would allow the Rochelais to confirm their status as a rising value in French rugby.

With 18 points ahead before this eighth comeback (31-13), they can see it coming.

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The pass of three for Racing 92?

"A derby is won".

After having dominated its Parisian neighbor during their last two oppositions (53-20 in Top 14, 22-9 in the first leg), Racing 92 can establish its local domination by having the French Stadium, in its Arena where it does not has lost the most since the end of November (37-14 defeat against UBB).

The center of Racing 92 Gaël Fickou tries to escape the tackle of the opening half of the French Stadium Léo Barré, during the 8th of the final first leg of the European Cup, on April 9, 2022 at the Stade Jean Bouin FRANCK FIFE AFP

Les Soldats Roses, with only one victory in five matches, are not celebrating and the week has been complicated, between the suspension for eleven weeks of Tolu Latu and the exit of owner Hans-Peter Wild claiming "leaders" and " professionalism".

Not ideal to prepare for a derby, last chance for Stade Français to save its season.

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Toulouse, the click or the slap

The defending champion is under pressure.

Stade Toulouse, dominated (26-20) by Ulster in the first leg, must absolutely win in Ireland if they want to be able to defend their title.

Good news for the men of Ugo Mola, they remain on three successes in a row in Ireland.

The gap to the last (29-22 in Ulster), in December 2020, would be enough for them to qualify.

Another sign of fate, the English referee on Saturday, Matthew Carley, was already officiating during this meeting.

Only here, the Red and Black land in Ulster staggering: the recent Grand Slam has left its mark on the internationals of the Toulouse Stadium, undermined by physical glitches.

International hooker Julien Marchand, injured in a calf, forfeited, as did prop Cyril Baille and third line François Cros, absent due to muscle problems.

Scrum half Antoine Dupont, captain of the XV of France, sick during the week, is very present.

"We did not calculate (on the way) and there we will not have to calculate either", promised Romain Ntamack.

The opening half of Toulouse Romain Ntamack tries to escape the defense of the Ulster players, during the round of 16 second leg of the European Cup, on April 9, 2022 at the Stadium Valentine CHAPUIS AFP / Archives

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Clermont has nothing to lose, Montpellier everything to gain

Knocked out at the Marcel-Michelin stadium (29-10), ASM has all the cards in hand: it is now "just" for the Auvergnats to roll over the English from Leicester at home.

An XXL feat against the Tigers who have not lost at home since … June 2021. The Clermontois have not missed the meeting of European quarters (Challenge included) since the 2015-2016 season.

Samoan Clermont flanker Fritz Lee is tackled by two Leicester players, in the round of 16 first leg of the European Cup, on April 11, 2022 at the Marcel-Michelin Stadium THIERRY ZOCCOLAN AFP / Archives

The MHR will have to remain on its guard.

After fifty "almost perfect" minutes according to Philippe Saint-André, the Hérault club let the Harlequins come back (40-26) to keep a slim hope of qualifying.

The leader of the Top 14 will have to ensure.

© 2022 AFP