At halftime in this multiplex round, the first half delivered a high-scoring evening with 30 tries scored across the matches. Several games are already producing clear trends, while the provisional standings are also beginning to take shape in the race for the playoffs and the direct semifinal spots.
Bordeaux-Bègles are leading Clermont 24-14 after a lively opening half. La Rochelle are trailing Stade Français 7-12 in a tighter contest, while Racing 92 hold a narrow 7-5 advantage over Toulouse in one of the most closely fought games of the night. Lyon are ahead of Montpellier 22-16, Castres are in control against Toulon 19-7, and Bayonne have taken a dominant 21-0 lead over Perpignan. Pau are also making a strong statement with a 38-21 lead over Montauban.
The provisional table is already shifting as a result of these early scores. Stade Français are temporarily moving into second place, overtaking Montpellier for the spot that would grant direct qualification for the semifinals. That position remains highly significant, as it offers a direct path to the final four without going through the playoff round.
Behind the top two, the teams currently qualifying for the playoffs are Pau, Racing 92, and Bordeaux-Bègles. Pau’s strong first-half performance against Montauban is helping them consolidate their place in the race for the knockout phase, while Racing 92’s narrow lead over Toulouse keeps them on course for qualification. Bordeaux-Bègles, meanwhile, are also doing enough for now to stay inside the playoff places with their advantage over Clermont.
With plenty of rugby still to be played, the second half promises major implications both at the top and in the middle of the standings. Several matches remain undecided, and the pressure will increase as teams try to secure valuable points, protect qualification spots, or fight back from damaging deficits.
The evening has already shown the attacking intensity expected in this type of multiplex, with tries flowing across the fixtures and momentum still capable of changing quickly after the interval. For teams chasing the postseason, every score could prove decisive as the table continues to evolve in real time.
