Pennod 27 Top 14: Rygbi Ffrainc

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-After 25 fiercely competitive

-rounds, there's plenty at stake...

-..for some of France's top clubs

-on the final weekend.

-Clermont are assured of their place

-in the top two.

-Montpellier, Toulon and Racing...

-..are competing for the second

-automatic place in the semi-finals.

-Castres and Bordeaux were battling

-for the final spot in the quarters.

-We start with the biggest clash

-of the weekend...

-..between the two most consistent

-sides this season.

-Racing took on Montpellier

-at Stade Yves du Manoir.

-Before this round,

-the visitors were second...

-..which meant

-they'd avoid the next round.

-But with the home team

-just four points behind them...

-..the Parisians

-needed no extra motivation.

-No tries yet.

-We've played a quarter of the game.

-Chavancy goes over halfway.

-It's quick possession for Racing.

-Goosen. He offloads to Imhoff.

-Imhoff scores the first try.

-Goosen can play at centre,

-fullback or fly half.

-It was a lovely offload.

-No-one stops Imhoff from there.

-Machenaud. He loves dictating play.

-Vulivuli. Two men bring him down.

-Machenaud once more.

-Wenceslas Lauret.

-Goosen.

-Chavancy changes the angle.

-Nyanga.

-Montpellier are trying to keep him

-off the ground.

-They're still coming. Rokocoko.

-Imhoff has got one,

-and now Rokocoko.

-Two tries for Racing.

-The angle fooled everyone,

-including the cameraman.

-Will Montpellier get the final word?

-Ouedraogo gets involved.

-He sets the platform.

-They've got there. Akapusi Qera.

-It's Montpellier's first try.

-The ball spills out.

-Machenaud with the kick.

-Rokocoko chases after it.

-Paillaugue is being pulled back.

-He's under pressure.

-Racing are there in numbers.

-Can Montpellier escape?

-Yes, for now.

-But not quite.

-Racing come again.

-Vulivuli.

-He's within six metres.

-The noise at Yves du Manoir

-is rising.

-Imhoff plays scrum half.

-Machenaud stays at fly half.

-Lauret breaks the tackle.

-Imhoff! A second try for Imhoff

-and another for Racing.

-Machenaud with the vision.

-The kick

-put Montpellier under pressure.

-Thanks to the backs' skills,

-Dulin and Vulivuli...

-..the pressure told.

-Imhoff's feet are so quick.

-He received the offload,

-beat one man and scored.

-Racing's forwards

-are doing the hard work.

-Goosen is so adventurous

-in his play.

-The Springbok

-goes down the blind side.

-Advantage is being played.

-They want more than just a penalty.

-Claassen

-is within three, four metres.

-Montpellier

-are under constant pressure.

-They'll come back now.

-There's a card coming as well.

-Liebenberg is the culprit.

-He lost control of his legs, he

-stayed there and he slowed the ball.

-The advantage has increased.

-He did well

-to keep the ball alive there.

-Montpellier nearly got there.

-Watchou is in the middle of it all.

-He's waiting for the ball again.

-The giant of a sub.

-They are trailing by 20 points.

-If they have any hope,

-they must score a try now.

-Spies goes down the blind side.

-I think Spies got there

-and that the try has been awarded.

-He just squeezed in.

-It's a try for Spies.

-Javaux, on for Machenaud.

-Claassen to Javaux.

-Vulivuli once more.

-It's lovely play.

-The forwards are combining.

-It didn't go forward.

-Where did the ball go?

-It's landed in Le Roux's hands.

-Goosen lost his grip on the ball.

-Was it on purpose?

-The try has been scored.

-One last effort for Montpellier.

-Is there a consolation try

-to be had? This is Nicolas Mas.

-Out of everyone, the prop,

-Nicolas Mas, has crossed the line.

-The try is awarded.

-Racing's defence were asleep there.

-Mas got the last word

-for Montpellier.

-A late try, but the team from Paris

-has already secured the win.

-Nicolas Mas looked like a winger!

-Fantastic.

-He might be all smiles, but it's

-the Parisians who are celebrating.

-A comfortable win for Racing 92...

-..has placed them and Montpellier

-on equal points.

-However, there is no bonus point.

-With Toulon also in the battle...

-..how costly will that be in

-the race for the top two positions?

-The only team certain

-to be in that race was Clermont.

-With a home game against La Rochelle

-on the season's last weekend...

-..it was likely they would end up

-at the top of the table.

-There's no wonder

-when you consider...

-..that Wesley Fofana and

-Nick Abendanon are among the backs.

-Only two minutes have gone...

-..and the visitors

-are putting on the pressure.

-They are very close to the try line.

-Julien Audy, the scrum half,

-is controlling everything.

-Lekso Kaulashvili, the prop,

-is standing away.

-The ball is out

-and the prop goes for the line.

-Maxime Chalon is on the spot

-and allows the try.

-What a shock for Clermont.

-The ball comes out

-and the prop only just makes it.

-An early try for the man

-from Georgia.

-Parra feeds the scrum.

-They are five metres out.

-Fritz Lee is the No.8.

-That was a powerful drive.

-He has the ball back

-between his legs.

-The backs throw out to the left.

-The ball goes to Lopez.

-It's a long pass out.

-Abendanon rolls

-and reaches the line.

-He slipped out of that tackle

-by Alipate Ratini.

-Spedding with the last pass.

-Somehow he got there.

-It's a try for the winger.

-We're halfway

-through the first half.

-It's another scrum for Clermont.

-It's a very powerful scrum.

-Lee and Parra combine.

-The ball is out. This time, it goes

-to Spedding and then to Strettle.

-The sidestep from Strettle.

-What a wonderful try for

-the Englishman on the other wing.

-When the ball came out,

-Popelin was the first.

-Then he came past two more men

-before scoring that beautiful try.

-Clean possession at the back of the

-line. Parra and Lopez combine again.

-Rougerie.

-That was a nice pass to Fofana.

-They've raised the tempo.

-The ball is spread out to the left.

-Spedding, Abendanon.

-A magic pass inside to Strettle.

-It's his second try.

-Once again, the two English wingers

-combine perfectly.

-Fantastic.

-La Rochelle put on the pressure.

-That was a high tackle.

-Both Clermont's flankers, Chouly and

-Yato, went down like two coconuts.

-They knocked into each other.

-Play continues. The referee is

-playing advantage for a high tackle.

-The tackle

-was on the fly half, Fuertes.

-The advantage is still being played.

-The hooker is Geledan.

-They might opt for a drop kick

-or a crossfield kick.

-They've gone for the crossfield.

-But it's much too strong.

-I'm sure we'll come back

-for the infringement in midfield.

-Fuertes went for the gap.

-Both flankers hit into each other.

-They hit their heads.

-Yato has been given a yellow card

-for that high tackle.

-Clermont are down to 14 men.

-This is going to the back.

-Parra once again.

-Out to Lopez, missing out one man.

-Strettle is free outside Abendanon.

-La Rochelle have no-one back.

-It's Strettle's third try.

-It's a hat-trick for the Englishman.

-Another cracker of a try

-for Clermont.

-The two English wingers have been

-working in tandem all afternoon.

-The ball comes back.

-This is Fritz Lee.

-Brock James.

-Out it comes to Abendanon.

-A great pass to Spedding!

-Spedding crosses in the corner.

-It's a try for the fullback.

-It's his team's fifth. But let's

-look at the pass from Abendanon.

-Wonderful! Wonderful!

-Just over fifteen minutes

-of this half now gone.

-It's a beautiful angle from Fofana

-as he received Fritz Lee's pass.

-He's over under the posts.

-So simple.

-Out comes the ball.

-Rougerie goes for the gap.

-He passed to Brock James

-who has crossed the line!

-They are all celebrating.

-Next year,

-he'll be playing for La Rochelle.

-Today, he scored against them.

-Clean possession this time

-in the front for Loic Jacquet.

-The pack comes as one unit.

-Flanker Peceli Yato is in the back.

-He's the one with possession.

-They're still rolling forward.

-Jacquet once again

-is at the forefront.

-They're about five metres

-from the try line.

-They need fast ball here.

-James with the huge pass

-out to Fofana.

-It's reached Nakaitaci.

-The substitute scores the try

-in the corner.

-Such slick passing.

-No-one could touch him.

-We're into the final minute

-of the game.

-Clermont have given us an exhibition

-of rugby of the highest standard.

-Fritz Lee now leads the team

-closer to the try line.

-The ball slips out to the left.

-The pass to Spedding.

-It's the team's ninth try

-in the corner.

-La Rochelle have been thrashed by

-the team celebrating the fact...

-..that they finish the season

-at the top of the table.

-That really was a display

-of power and skill by the home team.

-Join us after the break

-to see if Bordeaux Begles...

-..can steal the last play-off spot

-from Castres.

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-We go to Toulon next.

-The home team welcomed Bordeaux

-to Stade Felix Mayol.

-The visitors had most to lost.

-A defeat would probably

-put an end to their season.

-There was a lot at stake

-for the home team too.

-A win would keep alive their hopes

-of going straight to the semis.

-This is a crucial game

-for both teams.

-They're both battling

-for their places in the top six.

-It's a penalty for the home team -

-a second chance for Pelissie.

-His right foot puts Toulon

-back in the lead. It's 6-3.

-The restart is collected.

-Was there a kick?

-I'm not sure.

-The assistant has his flag out.

-Toulon are playing on, however.

-A lovely dummy by Mermoz.

-Ma'a Nonu is on his shoulder.

-He's looking for support.

-Was that kick needed?

-Bordeaux have possession

-through the No.8, Goujon.

-I'm sure the referee

-will take a look at that incident.

-There was definitely a kick.

-It was intentional.

-It's a red card for Talebula!

-Bordeaux have problems.

-Their scrum has been under pressure

-all evening.

-Bordeaux's 14 men have done well

-for almost 20 minutes.

-There may be another card.

-Taofifenua goes in the sin bin.

-What will Toulon do...

-..keep it tight among the forwards

-or spread the ball?

-Bordeaux are a winger and a prop

-short.

-That was a lovely offload

-from Gorgodze to Chiocci.

-They have a big overlap.

-The giant Gorgodze carried it again.

-Pelissie.

-Giteau, Mermoz, O'Connor!

-What a lovely try, the first

-of the night, for Joshua Tuisova.

-Some lovely handling

-created the space for the winger.

-Bordeaux did so well

-for almost 20 minutes.

-They're down to 13 men.

-Do Toulon have time to go

-for another try before half-time?

-They'll definitely look for one.

-Giteau. He's always dangerous

-with ball in hand.

-Nonu. He feeds O'Connor.

-O'Connor to Habana.

-What a combination that is.

-Who's inside him? It's Pelissie.

-This'll be a superb try for Toulon.

-Just seconds remain

-in the first half.

-It's a deserved second try

-for the home team.

-Toulon have scored two tries.

-They're looking

-for a bonus-point win.

-I don't think

-there's any hope for Bordeaux.

-That's the easiest try that Steffon

-Armitage will score this season.

-It's complete supremacy

-in the scrum.

-It was easy for him.

-What will Toulon want to do?

-They have a bonus point now.

-Armitage does well.

-Pelissie to Giteau.

-It's a lovely pass by Giteau

-to his winger.

-It's a second try for Tuisova.

-There's no way back for Bordeaux.

-It'll be a bonus-point win

-for Toulon.

-It's the fourth try of the game.

-Toulon want a fifth try.

-The ball's kept among the forwards.

-The backs

-have showed good handling skills.

-Here's a chance on the blind side.

-Armitage feeds the substitute

-Jean Charles Orioli.

-It's a lovely try.

-I'm not sure of the dive.

-It was Chris Ashton-esque.

-But a great try.

-Can Bordeaux get anything

-from this game?

-Not if the blind-side flanker,

-Madaule, kicks the ball!

-Bastareaud, the substitute, with a

-lovely offload to James O'Connor!

-The only man chasing him

-is Steffon Armitage!

-He may be hoping for a pass

-but it won't come.

-O'Connor scores Toulon's sixth try.

-The conversion is still to come.

-This is a thumping win,

-just what Toulon wanted.

-It's a bonus-point victory.

-We'll find out

-what is Bordeaux's fate.

-44-3 is the final score.

-Six tries to nil

-and a valuable bonus point...

-..is enough to lift Toulon

-above Racing and Montpellier.

-Bordeaux's campaign ends

-at the Stade Felix Mayol cauldron.

-The battle at the other end of the

-table was one of nothing but pride.

-Agen played Oyonnax.

-Following a series of injuries

-for the visitors' Nicky Robinson...

-..the Welshman will surely feel

-a mixture of disappointment...

-..and frustration

-as he analyses the season.

-Who knows what his fate will be

-next year.

-The first threat comes from Agen.

-No.8, Baget-Rabarou, has it.

-Heriteau on the charge.

-It's a try for the centre.

-Agen are the first to strike.

-Can the visitors' scrum take

-advantage? It's a good position.

-They have won the ball.

-The two front rows are up.

-It's there for Faure.

-It's the visitors' No.8

-who goes for the line this time.

-He gets there. Several fists

-are thrown off the ball.

-A try each but there will be

-consequences, I'm sure.

-A red card or not, Agen seem to be

-coping fine without Baget-Rabarou.

-They're gaining ground in midfield.

-Narjissi, the hooker, takes it.

-They've lost possession.

-It's an opportunity for Oyonnax.

-Julien Blanc.

-Taufa gets through the gap

-and beats his man.

-Alaska Taufa puts Oyonnax ahead

-for the first time.

-How much difference will

-the substitutes make to this game?

-Abadie is in as a scrum half.

-The long pass into midfield.

-Fullback Tilsley

-considers what is ahead.

-The dummy pass has worked.

-The door has opened wide...

-..and Oyonnax's defence

-has been split again.

-The game has slipped

-from the visitors' hands.

-Is there a consolation try

-for them here? A penalty.

-Finaipepe aims for the line

-and gets there...

-..but it's too late for his team.

-Oyonnax

-will finish bottom this season.

-That's it -

-the regular season is over.

-The top six has been decided.

-Castres put daylight

-between themselves and Bordeaux...

-..by comfortably beating last year's

-champions Stade Francais.

-This is the end of the journey

-for eight of the top 14.

-But for the top six, it continues.

-Like last year, Clermont and

-Toulon's smiles will be the widest.

-Their bodies

-can have a week's rest...

-..before the last but one round

-in Rennes in a fortnight.

-Confirmation that Clermont

-finish top after 26 rounds.

-Toulon finish second.

-Montpellier, Racing, Toulouse

-and Castres meet next week...

-..to find out who joins them

-in the semi-finals.

-Here's how the quarter-finals

-line up.

-Third meets sixth,

-Montpellier v Castres...

-..and fourth meets fifth,

-Racing v Toulouse.

-We have highlights of both games

-on S4C next week.

-Until then, goodnight.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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