Despite an almost flawless course in Champions Cup, the Toulouse stadium could finish second in its group behind the UBB, and thus have a more difficult course during the final phase.
It is the hard law of the Champions Cup. By letting out a small offensive bonus point, the Toulouse stadium now runs the risk of finishing second in its group, behind the UBB, regardless of its result against Leicester. With potentially 19 out of 20 possible points, it would be a shame.
The new format of the Champions Cup is thus made, with hens of six where we find each time two French clubs which do not compete. In the case of Toulouse and the UBB, the difference is therefore on meetings against other opponents. The Bordeaux have so far been full (15 points in three games), and they will finish at the top of this group stage in the event of a improved victory against the Durban Sharks.
“The group matches of this champions Cup are super important for the future, when we see the impacts that the ranking can have in receiving in the final stages, even if we do not understand much about the way the teams are classified”regretted Antoine Dupont at a press conference on Friday, in remarks reported by RMC.
Toulouse penalized by this new format?
At the end of the group stage, the teams of the four groups are grouped in a single classification, to establish the table of the final phase. The problem for Toulouse is that the first place in the group gives an advantage. We explain: with 14 out of 15 possible points, the men of Ugo Mola were only fifth in the ranking before this day, preceded by Leinster (13 points), Toulon (13 points) and Northampton (11 points), the leaders of the other three groups. “It is difficult to find the logic, but we are forced to fold it”, regret Dupont.
Unless they take advantage of a UBB’s misstep, the Toulousains will finish fifth in this first phase. What they mean that they will receive in the round of 16, but will undoubtedly have to move from the quarter -finals. Unfair?
