An all-action weekend of European rugby it was, but in France, there was just one catch-up match in the Top 14 to be played
It was certainly a busy rugby weekend but on the European scene. In the Top 14, it was much quieter as there was only game: Oyonnax versus Union Bordeaux-Bègles. This game should have been played some time back when the snowy weather conditions did not allow it. There was a lot at stake for the two teams; for Bordeaux it was simply to keep alive the dream of reaching the play-offs. For Oyonnax it was a step away from the “red zone”.
Oyonnax showed great spirit and ambition right from the start to win the game with a 26-12 scoreline. It was certainly “the winner takes it all” as Oyonnax made a big step away from the “red zone” and this can only seriously concern Perpignan and Bayonne – both of whom are now in imminent danger of having to play their rugby next season in the Rugby Pro 2 league.
For Bordeaux, meanwhile, their dream of making the play-offs seems to have slipped from their grasp. Their next opponents on Saturday are Toulon – fresh from their convincing conquest of Leinster in the Heineken Cup quarter-final, while the resurgent Oyonnax will have the arguably easier task of winning against Perpignan on the same day.
Top 14 Standings – Day 23.5
Pos | Team | Total Points | Bonus Points | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Against | Pts Diff |
1 | Montpellier | 66 | 12 | 23 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 575 | 463 | 112 |
2 | Toulon | 65 | 11 | 23 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 575 | 400 | 175 |
3 | Clermont | 65 | 11 | 23 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 605 | 445 | 160 |
4 | Castres | 62 | 10 | 23 | 12 | 2 | 9 | 521 | 427 | 94 |
5 | Racing Métro | 60 | 4 | 23 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 390 | 391 | -1 |
6 | Toulouse | 58 | 12 | 23 | 11 | 1 | 11 | 475 | 406 | 69 |
7 | Union Bordeaux-Bègles | 58 | 10 | 23 | 12 | 0 | 20 | 532 | 494 | 38 |
8 | Stade Français | 58 | 4 | 23 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 458 | 432 | 26 |
9 | Brive | 55 | 11 | 23 | 10 | 2 | 11 | 432 | 424 | 8 |
10 | Grenoble | 50 | 4 | 23 | 11 | 1 | 11 | 406 | 530 | -124 |
11 | Oyonnax | 48 | 4 | 23 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 408 | 502 | -94 |
12 | Perpignan | 46 | 8 | 23 | 9 | 1 | 13 | 411 | 510 | -140 |
13 | Bayonne | 44 | 8 | 23 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 356 | 496 | -108 |
14 | Biarritz | 26 | 8 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 328 | 552 | -224 |