Two shocks on the menu in half

Time for serious things in Pro D2. If the play-offs, last Thursday and Friday, set the tone during this final phase, with the victories of Vannes in Nevers (17-20) and Mont-de-Marsan against Agen (37-24), the last four s announcement already very attractive. First, this Saturday, Oyonnax will be eagerly awaited at the Charles-Mathon stadium, after having largely dominated the regular season (23 successes in 30 games). Resting since May 5, the players of English manager Joe El Abd will challenge the surprising Bretons of RCV (from 3 p.m.) with the firm intention of confirming their status as the great favorite to climb to the Top 14. A little later, Still on Saturday May 20, Grenoble will host Les Montois for a clash between two teams that finished on the podium, behind the untouchable Oyomen. An a priori undecided poster at the Stade des Alpes (from 9:05 p.m.) between two player formations.

The Ernest-Wallon stadium will host the Pro D2 final

Subsequently, the two winners of the semi-finals will meet a few days later, on May 27, for the final of this final phase of Pro D2, which will decide who will be directly promoted to the elite of French rugby. After the GGL Stadium in Montpellier last year, it is this time the lair of Toulouse, the Ernest-Wallon stadium, which will be the scene of this oh so important match. As a reminder, in 2022, Bayonne had outclassed Mont-de-Marsan in Hérault (49-20). If the club that wins the final will be able to celebrate its rise as it should, the loser will have to pull themselves together quickly to play an “access match” against the 13th in the Top 14, which will be Perpignan or Pau. This final meeting will be played on the grounds of the Pro D2 club on June 3. A match that has often turned to the advantage of the home team, except last year when USAP held on with authority in the Landes (16-41).