Toulouse and La Rochelle top the log after a thrilling final day in the Top 14
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Toulouse and La Rochelle finish the TOP14 regular season in first and second place respectively.
Emmanuel Meafou and Lucas Tauzin scored before the end of either half to secure a 10-21 win over Bordeaux for Toulouse as they cemented top spot on the overall log. Meanwhile, Morgan Parra kicked Clermont to a 25-20 win over La Rochelle with George Moala scoring an all important try that secured fifth place and a playoff spot for Clermont. A 77th minute penalty from Jule Le Bail saw La Rochelle to a losing bonus point which was enough to edge Racing 92 for second place with the teams tied on 78.
Racing 92 did all they could to claim second place running in eight tries to thump Brive 55-12. Club stalwart Antonie Claassen scored a try and was given the chance to slot the last penalty in his final regular season game in the blue and white jerseys finishing his Racing career against the club he first joined in France.
Antonie Claassen a disputé son dernier match de phase régulière avec le Racing. Il arborait une chaussette noire. Le @CABCLRUGBY lui a offert un maillot du club pic.twitter.com/HiZxC6X254
— Benjamin Pommier (@BenjaminPommier) June 5, 2021
Stade Francais grounded out a narrow 9-12 win over Bayonnne to secure sixth place overall as well as a spot in the playoffs. The results caps off a wonderful comeback from the club that looked to be relegation contenders six months ago. Meanwhile, the result means that Bayonne will face Biarritz in a local Basque derby which will determine which club will take the final TOP14 spot next season.
Bayonne head into the promotions-relegation game due to the wonderful result Pau recorded against Montpellier. Ranked 13th on the log ahead of the final round, Pau knew they would need a favour from Stade Francais to stay up and they got one. However, they produced a stellar performance to beat the Challenge Cup winners, Montpellier, 41-25 securing a bonus point try in the final play of the game. Australia-bound Matt Philip scored two tries for the side in the victory over Montpellier while Fijian winger Aminaisi Tuimbaba scored two of his own to see his side to victory.
Castres did all they could to claim an unlikely playoff spot as they trashed Toulon 48-24 scoring 6 tries to Toulon three but Stade Francais' win saw them edge to the playoffs. Lyon ran in 8 tries to Agen's one with the victors heading into the game with nothing on the line while Agen's relegation to the PROD2 was already confirmed before the final round.
The results & table following the final round of the #TOP14 regular season 🏉
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 5, 2021
Barrages: Bordeaux v Clermont & Racing 92 v Stade Francais
Automatic Semi-finalists: Toulouse & La Rochelle
Promotion relegation: Bayonne v Biarritz pic.twitter.com/CajsK8JV94
