Top 14 final phase: welcome to survival week
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Four sides are playing for the last two semi-final places in the race for the Bouclier de Brennus, while two sides are scrapping for one still open Top 14 spot next season. There’s still plenty at stake as this campaign draws to a close
When Saturday ends, we’ll know the answers to three of the remaining Top 14 questions for the 2024/25 season.
We’ll know who, of Bayonne or Clermont, will meet Toulouse in the first semi-final at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium on Friday, July 20; if Toulon or Castres will take on Bordeaux in the second semi-final at the same venue 24 hours later. Both matches are sold out.
We’ll also know which one of Grenoble and Perpignan – who meet at a packed Stade des Alpes – will fill the last remaining open Top 14 berth next season.
Semi-finalists Bordeaux already have the Champions Cup, and the Elite1 women’s championship trophies; while their academy side will meet Toulon in the Reichel Espoirs Elite tournament final on June 14. The Bouclier de Brennus is still missing from their cabinet.
But Toulouse – who fell to Bordeaux in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, and in the final of the Elite1 tournament, and in the semi-finals of the espoirs’ competition – won’t want to give up this title.
But this weekend is for the barragistes: Toulon and Castres, Bayonne and Clermont also have Lyon in their sights, even if they’re taking a longer route to get there.
Friday, June 13th
Bayonne v Clermont (kick off 9.05pm)
This has been a long time coming. Three-time French champions Bayonne haven’t qualified for the post-season race for the Brennus since 1992 – long before the current league format and its knockout phase; long before the Top 14; before, even, the official advent of professional rugby. They last reached the final in 1982, and most recently lifted the famous shield in 1943.
An unbeaten home record this season – the only Top 14 side to manage it – and a tight grip on fourth since the end of January means Bayonne’s play-off placing is no surprise.
