The short side: Top 14 semi-finals, key battles and U20s

Colin Newboult

The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s Top 14 semi-finals and the second round of the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Top 14 semi-final 1 – Toulouse v La Rochelle

Only France’s top-tier remains to be decided in Europe’s big domestic competitions and the favourites for the title open proceedings on Saturday when they take on La Rochelle. Les Rouge et Noir would have expected to face Racing 92 but Jono Gibbes’ men stunned the Parisians and will look to do the same to Ugo Mola’s charges.

La Rochelle will need to improve if they are to overcome the 19-times champions, though, having taken advantage of a significantly under-par Racing, who were no doubt frustrated that the game was forced to take place away from the Paris La Defense Arena.

Toulouse may well suit them a bit more than some of their opponents over recent weeks, however. Against breakdown specialists Lyon and the gargantuan pack of Clermont Auvergne, the Stade Marcel-Deflandre outfit struggled to gain a foothold, and the free-flowing league leaders may well give them more of an opportunity to open up.

Of course, Mola’s men do not lack size but their brilliance has come via their talented backline and it duly sets up an interesting match-up on Saturday. Toulouse are clear favourites but La Rochelle have the talent and a game-plan to cause them problems.

Top 14 semi-final 2 – Clermont Auvergne v Lyon

Sunday sees Clermont and Lyon round off the semi-finals in the second game at the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux. After the woes of 2017/18, which saw them briefly worry over their Top 14 survival, Les Jaunards have been revitalised this season. Clermont have already claimed a trophy, winning the Challenge Cup in Newcastle, and they will look to complete the double over the next week.

Auvergne have consistently been labelled ‘chokers’ for their inability to win big finals but there are perhaps signs that things are changing for the French giants. Victory in the 2017 domestic competition was a significant triumph while their win in the Challenge Cup was full of authority and confidence.

https://twitter.com/ChallengeCup_FR/status/1127613338404495360

Lyon, meanwhile, don’t have to worry about such tags after reaching the semi-finals for just the second time. Their first, as it happens, came last year, but Pierre Mignoni’s men will want to avoid a repeat of that encounter where they succumbed 40-14 to Montpellier. Given Clermont’s star quality, a heavy defeat is possible for the third placed finishers, but it will be a different result should Lyon get on top at the contact area.

World Rugby U20 Championship game to watch – Australia v Ireland

It is a tight call given that France and Wales go head-to-head in their crucial group stage clash, but this game is the most intriguing encounter of the day. Having both emerged victorious in the opening round of the competition, a victory for either team on Saturday will set them up nicely in the final match. It would be a particular boost for the Irishmen, who impressively defeated England on Tuesday.

It would leave them an encounter against the weakest side in the group, Italy, on Wednesday but a loss to the Junior Wallabies could open things up again. The southern hemisphere outfit do, however, face the Red Rose in their last encounter and Steve Bates’ men will be determined to right the wrongs from their defeat to Ireland.

Player to watch – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse)

Who else to look out for but one of the best in Europe? Kolbe has enjoyed an outstanding campaign for Les Rouge et Noir, bamboozling defenders throughout the continent for the past 10 months, and will be a significant threat to La Rochelle’s defence.

The South African has been in stunning form, with his balance, footwork and acceleration a menace to every team he has faced, and Toulouse will look to the talented back to break the game open. Semi-finals tend to be tighter affairs so that bit of stardust becomes even more important in these encounters.

One-v-one battle to watch – Fritz Lee (Clermont) v Deon Fourie (Lyon)

You never felt these two players were truly appreciated in their home countries, but they have become stars of their respective sides in the Top 14. Lee impressed while at the Chiefs in Super Rugby but his game has come on significantly since moving north of the equator. Weighing in at almost 17st, the Clermont man is evidently a top quality ball-carrier, but his skill set and impact at the breakdown should not be underestimated.

https://twitter.com/ChallengeCup_FR/status/1120228241464340481

However, despite Lee’s presence, the contact area is a facet of the game where Lyon will think they can get an edge and Fourie has been a crucial component for Pierre Mignoni’s men. The 32-year-old was primarily a hooker in South Africa but has switched to the back-row in France and has combined superbly with openside Liam Gill in the latter stages of the campaign.

Subplot to watch – Pierre Mignoni to get one over his former side?

The former scrum-half knows more than anyone the hurt Clermont Auvergne have endured, having been part of the squad which lost three successive finals in the late 2000s. Mignoni spent six years in Clermont-Ferrand and started in the 2007, ’08 and ’09 showpiece events before departing the club. Ironically, a year later Les Jaunards secured the title – the first in their history – but the current Lyon head coach may think he can tap into some painful memories should they keep the game tight.

Features