As Racing 92 players are better at rugby than at singing or swimming, they will soon leave their Paris-La Défense Arena. Their favorite venue will in fact be occupied from May 9 to 12 by American superstar Taylor Swift for four dates then by the organization of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from May 15.
At the end of the last concerts, immense work will take place in the hall located in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine) to install the Olympic swimming pools which will host the swimming events and the great French hope Léon Marchand.
So it's time for the last of the season this Saturday (5 p.m.) with the reception of Clermont on the occasion of the 20th day. A good showing on paper between the 4th in the ranking, Racing 92 with 48 points, and the 10th, the Auvergne club and its 42 points. A revenge for the Ile-de-France residents, beaten in Clermont (23-18) in the first leg. And a must-win meeting to stay on the right track and not challenge their opponents in the race for qualifying places.
Strengthened by the returns of Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Gibert, a hinge still aligned this Saturday, Stuart Lancaster's Racing 92 has been doing better for two days and successes against Toulon (20-6) and Castres (23-21). But his home season is far from his best. 10th team in the championship only (7 wins, 3 defeats against Toulouse, Montpellier and Stade Français), Racing 92 must regain its sovereignty in a room where nearly 15,000 people are expected against Clermont (average of 11,411 spectators this season) .
The Ile-de-France residents will then head to Auxerre and the Abbé-Deschamps stadium for the receptions in Bayonne (May 11) and Pau (June 1). The region of the hooker Camille Chat seems enthusiastic and the meetings could well be the height. On the other hand, in the event of qualification for the final phase and if a play-off must be played “at home” (you must finish 3rd or 4th), nothing has yet been decided. The Top 14 semi-finals will take place in Bordeaux before moving to Marseille for the grand final.
Racing 92 will return to Paris-La Défense Arena next season (first day scheduled for September 7) before slowly preparing for another return, to Colombes, where the Yves-du-Manoir stadium, its home until 2017. return scheduled for 2025-2026.
The composition of Racing against Clermont
Arundell - Naituvi, Fickou (cap.), Saili, Imhoff - (o) Gibert, (m) Le Garrec - Diallo, Joseph, Woki - Rowlands, Chouzenoux - Gomes Sa, Chat, Nyakane.
Substitutes
: Narisia, Kolingar, Palu, Baudonne, Tedder, Klemenczak, D. Taofifenua, Laclayat.