The battle for a play-off spot and relegation heats up in ProD2
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The end of the regular season will prove to be a decisive moment for many teams in the French ProD2, as many will look to forge their own destinies.
A Battle for first Place
Currently occupying first and second on the table, Provence (90 pts) and Vannes (88 pts) have booked their places in the semi-finals. However, a small obstacle lies in their way on the final day, that being who will finish on top. Vannes will have to meticuolus in their trip to 13th placed Agen. One could argue that Vannes have it easier than their rivals, who will tackle the 4th placed Grenoble. A tie at 92 points at the top of the table is very likely between the two teams, however the tie would play to the advantage of Provence when calculating the field points.
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Béziers Grenoble and Dax battle for 3rd and 4th spot
It will be a three way battle for the comfortable play-off spots between Dax (5th), Béziers (3rd) and Grenoble (4th). With only 3 points separating Dax and Béziers a loss for any of the three will see them miss out on a play-off spot. Béziers will fancy their chances against SA XV who currently sit in 12th place. Grenoble will have the toughest assignment of the day, as they will need to overcome table toppers Provence who will be looking to finish the season strong. Meanwhile Dax will play Nevers who currently sit two places below them in 7th
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Brive, Nevers and Mont de Marsan: Only one will remain
Another three teams will also battle for the single and final qualifying place. The coveted 6th place in the ranking is currently occupied by CAB who sit on 71 points. However Mont de Marsan (who lye in in 7th place with 70 points) and Nevers (8th, also with 70 points) will want to overtake the Corréziens right before the finish line. Brive, who will play Biarritz (14th) are far from safe, if Mont de Marsan plays the same type of match against Rouen (16th) which can retain a tiny hope of being in access and Nevers welcomes Dax.
Several cases of equality are then possible:
- Between Brive and Mont de Marsan (CAB advantage in field points)
- Between Brive and Nevers (USON advantage in field points)
- Between Mont de Marsan and Nevers (equal in field points from the total points scored on the two matches between in play and the Landais would be qualified as a small unit 43-42).
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Biarritz, Montauban and Rouen: Survival of the fittest
Biarritz (14th) will head to the Brive Stadium with one mission: survining relegation. Boasting 53 points going into the fixture, a defensive bonus would be enough to save the Basques because they hold the advanatage in field points against Montauban (15th). The Tarn and Garonnais are currently in an access match, against the future loser of the National final which will pit Nice against Narbonne. They can still avoid this scenario in the event of success at Aurillac (10th) combined with the defeat of Biarritz without bonus. However, they will have to eye the Normans (16th 48 points) who are going to the Landes and whose objective is 15th place. It is all the more undecided as a tie on points with Sapiac would be favorable to them. These last 80 minutes promise to be as stressful as they are decisive.
