The two biggest rivals in our championship are already facing each other. Racing 92 becomes Racing 94 and the warrior Ludlam is ready to discover Mayol. 

THE MATCH > Toulouse – La Rochelle, “the show must go on”

Since the 2021 final, these two have been inseparable. Often meeting up at the last meeting of the season during decisive deadlines. This Sunday at 9 p.m. there will be much less pressure because the stakes are not at their peak for this second day of the championship. It doesn't matter, because when these two rivals meet, whether the match is locked or not, the meetings are often memorable. 

Undefeated at Wallon 
We only have to remember the one on June 2nd ending with the mind-blowing score of 31-31 or the intense arm wrestling of the last half in Bordeaux, won by Toulouse with a score of 39-23 . Winners in Vannes (18-43), the Red and Black will want to continue their momentum while La Rochelle approaches this first trip with ambition after beating Toulon in Deflandre (19-15). An ambition that is all the more perilous given that the reigning European and French champions have only lost one of their 11 home matches against Stade Rochelais in the TOP 14 (9 wins, 1 draw). 

THE STAT > 12,050. Racing 94

This is the capacity of the Dominique-Duvauchelle stadium . Located in Créteil in Val-de-Marne , the stadium usually hosts Lusinatos football matches . Change of lines and posts therefore for the arrival of Racing 92 who will play three matches there due to the work carried out at the Paris La Défense Arena, following the Olympic Games. First of these three meetings against Clermont, this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Note that the Racingmen will also face in this stadium, Stade Rochelais (Saturday September 28 at 4:30 p.m.) and RC Toulon on October 12.  

THE PLAYER > Ludlam drops anchor in the harbor

Since Sir Jonny Wilkinson 's visit to the Var, the English have enjoyed a very special aura there. But be careful because at Mayol, no one ever arrives on conquered ground. On the contrary, if there is a crowd and a stadium where you have to prove yourself, it is this one. The kind of place and people that once adopted allow you to transcend yourself. This atmosphere seemed destined for international flanker Lewis Ludlam (28 years old, 24 caps) . A rough, tough player who came from Northampton to try the challenge proposed by the RCT. In sight against La Rochelle, the new Toulon player finished as the best scorer of the match and will experience a new fight against the equally aggressive Castres team , this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. 

THE PROGRAM > Vannes hits the road, clashes between neighbors

First trip for the Bretons who will go to Paris. The RCV will face the revenge-seeking Parisians who fell heavily in the opening of the championship against Bordeaux-Bègles (46-26). During the Multiplex, Pau will host Bayonne for a clash between neighbors in order to establish departmental supremacy. The Béarnais routed in Clermont (39-7) see the arrival of the Basques as the best time to launch this exercise while the Bayonnais will see if they have recovered from their emotions after the victory on the wire at Jean-Dauger against the USAP (21-19). 

Play at Gerland 
The Catalans will now want to confirm their good start and this bonus brought back from the Basque country by welcoming Montpellier as it should be. The Héraultais must react after their failed return against the LOU (22-26) . A promising match between the Rhone and the UBB on the Gerland pitch opposing two very playful teams.