Summary of the 16th day of Top 14: the MHR wins again, its competitors also maintain

Sam Simmonds et les Montpelliérains pas encore tirés d'affaire. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Malgré sa quatrième victoire en cinq matches contre Bayonne (28-23), le MHR n'arrive pas à se sortir des deux dernières places du Top 14.

Five victories in seven matches are not enough for MHR to completely get their heads above water. They just allowed us to move from 14th to 13th place. From relegation to play-off. This shows the delay taken by Montpellier in the Top 14 at the start of the season. The scars of eight defeats in a row between the 2nd and 9th days are struggling to fade.

And if the Hérault club finally moved forward two months ago, its remaining competitors do not have their foot on the brake. Apart from Oyonnax (22 points), who is struggling more and more, the others are moving forward.

Perpignan (31 pts) continues to impress at home, like its improved victory against the double European champions La Rochelle (27-15). Aimé-Giral will be difficult to bring down by the end of the year.

L'ESSAI INCROYABLE 🤩

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Decisive fortnight

Lyon (33 pts) has almost definitively distanced itself from Oyonnax thanks to its five-point success (43-26) over the promoted team. It even surpasses Bayonne thanks to the particular goal average.

Next weekend will be an opportunity for Montpellier to bury the Ain players. The MHR travels to Charles-Mathon this Saturday (5 p.m.) to, at a minimum, secure a 13th place, synonymous with an access match at the end of the season against the loser of the Pro D2 final .

"The next fortnight may change the course of our season a little", warns Hérault manager Patrice Collazo. The battle for survival is far from over.

Calendar for the next two days before the international break

Day 17

Bayonne – Lyon
Oyonnax – Montpellier
Toulon – Perpignan

Day 18

Clermont – Oyonnax
Lyon – Castres
Montpellier – UBB
Perpignan – Toulouse