La Rochelle storms into Top 14 playoffs on final night as European champions Bordeaux crash out
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle completed a six-match winning run to snatch the sixth and final playoff berth, while double European champions Bordeaux-Bègles were eliminated after a home defeat to Clermont on a dramatic last day of the French Top 14 regular season.
The final-day scramble
The 26th and final round of the Top 14 regular season delivered a frantic reshuffling of the table on Saturday evening. Toulouse had already secured first place and a direct semi-final berth, but the five remaining playoff spots were contested until the last second across multiple venues. Montpellier's 28-25 victory at Lyon lifted them into second place, earning a bye to the semi-finals in Marseille on June 19 or 20. Stade Français, beaten 27-22 at home by La Rochelle, slipped to third and will host a barrage-round match. Pau secured fourth place and a first-ever post-season qualification with an 11-try, 71-31 demolition of already-relegated Montauban.
La Rochelle's furious finish
La Rochelle's qualification is the culmination of a remarkable turnaround that began on April 18. After a mid-season slump, the Maritimes won six consecutive matches to force their way into the top six. On Saturday, scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec scored an 11th-minute try, his eighth in six matches, and contributed 17 points. The Rochelais trailed with half an hour remaining after first-half tries from Joe Marchant and Jeremy Ward and a penalty try awarded to Stade Français early in the second half. Semi Lagivala crossed with 10 minutes left and Le Garrec converted to regain the lead, before Quentin Lespiaucq was credited with a maul try two minutes from time to seal a 27-22 win.
If we reach the finals, we will be untouchable.
Bordeaux's stunning elimination
The biggest shock of the night came at Stade Chaban-Delmas, where Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Bègles lost 34-31 to Clermont and missed the playoffs entirely. Harry Plummer's 78th-minute drop goal and a crucial jackal by young centre Leon Darricarrere in the 80th minute decided a thrilling contest in Clermont's favour. Bordeaux finished two points behind sixth-placed La Rochelle. The result means the double European champions will not feature in the Top 14 knockout stages.
We entered a negative spiral in the championship.
The playoff picture
The barrage round will be played on June 13 and 14. Pau (4th) will host Racing 92 (5th), with the winner advancing to face Toulouse in the semi-finals. Stade Français (3rd) will host La Rochelle (6th), and the winner of that match will meet Montpellier (2nd). Racing 92 secured fifth place with a 31-20 home win over Toulouse, while Clermont's victory was not enough to keep their own season alive; they missed the playoffs by a single point.
- Kickoff across all six matches of the 26th and final regular-season round.
- Nolann Le Garrec scores for La Rochelle against Stade Français.
- Stade Français leads La Rochelle after a penalty try; La Rochelle outside playoff places.
- Semi Lagivala try and Le Garrec conversion put La Rochelle back in front.
- Quentin Lespiaucq maul try seals La Rochelle's 27-22 win and playoff spot.
- Harry Plummer drop goal and Leon Darricarrere jackal give Clermont a 34-31 win, eliminating Bordeaux.
Relegation and promotion
Montauban finished 14th and were already condemned to relegation in Pro D2 before the final round. Perpignan ended the season in 13th place and will face a relegation playoff against Provence Rugby on Sunday, June 14, to preserve their Top 14 status. Earlier on Saturday, Vannes defeated Provence Rugby in the Pro D2 final, securing an immediate return to the top flight one year after their own relegation.
Semi-finals and final
The semi-finals are scheduled for June 19 and 20 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. The Top 14 final will be held on June 27 at the Stade de France. Toulouse and Montpellier await the barrage winners, with the final six teams now set after a regular season that went down to the wire.
