Whilst the Rugby world was focused on the grand showpiece that is the Champions Cup final, the French Pro D2 semi-finals were getting underway.
Historically two of France’s bigger rugby clubs Bayonne and Oyonnax have both seen their fortunes fluctuate over the past couple of decades.
Both sides have enjoyed time in the French Top14 as recently as recently as 2020 for Bayonne and 2017 for Oyonnax.
Thus the importance of top flight rugby in the Top14 will not have been lost on either side as they met for a highly entertaining semi-final match up in glorious sunshine at the Stade Jean-Dauger in Bayonne.
In a topsy turvy battle the home side emerged victorious 32 – 20 to book a spot in the final where they will face Mont-De-Marsan (Stade Montois).
For Stade Montois this will be an opportunity for them to return to the Top14 for first time in a decade. Whilst it would make for a great story this is clearly something that Bayonne will be looking to stop.
With both sides in the final having finished in the top two spots on the table it would appear that a great match up is on the cards.
Speaking of great spectacle the biggest highlight from the semi-final weekend has to be this exceptional try from Oyonnax prop Thomas Laclayat who showed a clear pair of heels to race off for an epic try!
As with all good front rowers there is no doubt he will tell everyone it was break that beat ten defenders and started behind his own goal line. We will let him have this one as it was a pretty smoothly taken score for the big fella!
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