Cédric Chasseur 9:55 a.m., June 17, 2022

Just under 80 kilometers separate Castres from Toulouse, two historic rivals with antagonistic approaches to rugby who will play a derby on Friday (9:05 p.m.) in Nice, but above all a place in the final of the Top 14. A poster that should escape the heat wave expected this weekend and to follow live and in full in Europe 1 Sport.

The Top 14 semi-finals start this Friday evening.

At 9:05 p.m., Castres, leader at the end of the regular season, faces Toulouse, the reigning French champion.

And chance sometimes does things well, since it is Nice, the Allianz Riviera which will host these two matches.

Nice, rather spared by the heat wave, which should satisfy the contenders for the Brennus shield. 

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A big rugby party planned in Nice

27 degrees is the expected temperature on Friday at the start of Castres-Toulouse.

Warm but breathable, especially since the programming of the match will undoubtedly help the two clubs, as CO coach Pierre-Henry Broncan explains.

"To play at 9 p.m. is probably a good thing. The heat will be a little less stifling. Even if it's a pitch that is quite hard (a hybrid lawn), where you can have muscle fatigue more faster than on natural grass."

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Other good news, the return of a full or almost full stadium to the Allianz Riviera, a 36,000-seat stadium, after the 2021 finals played with gauges.

Stade Toulousain hooker Julien Marchand is salivating in advance.

"That's obviously the most interesting thing. It's true that coming to stadiums where there were 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 spectators... So we're very happy and that's what fills us with joy above all," says the international at the microphone of Europe 1.

A great rugby festival is therefore being prepared here, all around the Allianz Riviera, with numerous events and concerts.

A Top 14 village has even been installed on the Promenade des Anglais for the occasion, open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during these two days.

A festive and friendly atmosphere, promises René Bouscatel, the president of the National Rugby League.