Champions Cup – Toulouse at the meeting place, Clermont sounds … Lesson of the 3rd day of the Champions Cup

Toulouse by KO in Sales

Les Rouge et Noir took their status as title challengers in Sale. While the Sharks had promised Toulouse hell, Ugo Mola’s men responded beautifully to a physical challenge from England (5-27). Emmanuel Meafou’s strength wreaked havoc and the second line was a key asset to Rouge et Noir’s success. A try from Australia and another achievement from Guillaume Cramont allowed the five-time European champion to take off with the excellent Melvyn Jaminet against the pole, authoring seventeen points.

Castres still couldn’t do it

Despite a good start, Castres could not overcome his curse in the Champions Cup (21-34), having not won since January 2019 in the competition. With three tries scored in the first half, Castres Olympique led 21-14 at the break and looked on course for their first Champions Cup win of the season. But the Olympians then collapsed by conceding a terrible 20-0. Two tries and two penalties Scotland finally beat Castres.

La Rochelle on the gong!

In Marcel-Deflandre, storms and rain have long frozen La Rochelle and Ulster’s playing intentions. Dumb after an hour of play, neither Nathan Doak nor Antoine Hastoy managed to tame the terrifying conditions at the poles. But fifteen minutes from time, the Ulster scrum-half managed to score the game’s first point. Northern Ireland then took the lead until the 81st minute before Joel Sclavi crucified Ulstermen with a final strike! A twelfth successive win for the yellow and black that allowed them to qualify for the round of 16.

Clermont’s historical decline

ASM looking to convince themselves in the Champions Cup, they suffered a historic 44-29 defeat against Leicester. Historic as the Tigers inflicted Clermont the heaviest loss at home in its history. Marred by Matt Scott’s first attempted interception, ASM spent the entire game chasing scores. Despite the brilliant performances of Baptiste Jauneau and Alivereti Raka, the Clermontois family was brought into conquest and physical combat.

Racing 92 narrowly escaped

It all started really well for Ciel et Blancs. With three tries scored in 41 minutes (Kamicamica, Fickou, Saili), the Parisians had given themselves the right to go for better success, but were eventually joined in ten minutes by the Harlequins. The Racingmen even finished at twelve but snatched victory with a last-ditch penalty from Finn Russell five minutes from time. final score 30-29.

Lyon was defeated by Daly

Facing the Saracens, LOU was unable to overcome the sights of Elliot Daly, stubborn for twenty minutes in which he scored… three tries. Conceded 21-0 in minutes and that sealed the game too early for England. Josua Tuisova and Lyonnais reacted well but the gap between Sarries and LOU was too big, who ended up losing 48-28.

Montpellier amuses itself with a double bonus

Inconstant since the start of the season, MHR admitted a second straight loss against the Ospreys, after their first loss at home. Led by the superb Justin Tipuric, the Welsh took advantage of misses at the feet of Léo Coly and Louis Carbonel to win in the final thanks to a high-class try from Justin Tipuric. Montpellier departs for Hérault with two bonus points (35-29).

UBB rocked South Africa

Bordeaux’s trip to the Durban Sharks quickly turned into a demonstration for South Africans. Siya Kolisi’s team-mates led 22-0 at the break and then set their lead against the Girondins who care less about this Champions Cup encounter than they do in the Last 14. Next meeting Saturday 21 January in Gloucester for UBB.