After their defeat in the derby against Grasse fifteen days ago (22-13), Stade Niçois needs to win this Sunday against Beaurepaire to stay in the race for the Top 4. With six matches remaining in the regular season, the Niçois have the opportunity to bounce back against an opponent that, on paper, is weaker.
Yes, the end of the match at Grasse leaves some regrets, notably the missed penalty in the last minute that would have allowed Niçois to leave with the defensive bonus. But two weeks later, a new challenge awaits Gilbert Doucet’s men. If the season ended before this match against Beaurepaire, the Niçois would be out of the Top 4 and therefore eliminated before the finals. But the second half of the season is long and the schedule is open for the Niçois.
Good against Bedarrides after the holiday break (28-17 victory), lacking efficiency at Grasse, the Niçois are welcoming a Beaurepaire team that is stuck in the middle of the standings, 7th with 25 points, far from the Top 4 and comfortably ahead of the bottom two. Defeated last week in Aubagne, Beaurepaire is struggling to regain their form from the first part of the season.
The narrow defeat in the first leg, 8-3 in Isère, had left regrets for the Niçois. It is up to them to continue the strong run at Stade des Arboras where Nice is still unbeaten (7 games, 6 wins, 1 draw). Before two “manageable” away games at Aubagne (8th) and Monteux (9th), a victory this Sunday is essential and, complemented by an offensive bonus point, would be even better.
“The defeat at Grasse was a setback, especially in terms of points. We are in the home stretch. We hope to secure our qualification as quickly as possible. In any case, we have bolstered the troops for this,” notes Gilbert Doucet, manager of Stade Niçois.
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