The 2025 Top 14 playoffs kicked off with high stakes and major consequences—not just for title contenders, but for clubs fighting to stay in the top flight.
Bayonne and Toulon both delivered statement wins in the barrages to punch their tickets to the semi-finals, while Perpignan narrowly avoided relegation with a dramatic victory over Grenoble in the Access Match.
Let’s start with the barrages:
BAYONNE BOOK HISTORIC SEMI-FINAL BERTH WITH DOMINANT WIN OVER CLERMONT
Bayonne 20 – 3 Clermont (HT: 9–3)
Bayonne made Top 14 history on a rain-soaked night at Stade Jean-Dauger, powering past Clermont 20–3 to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time. In brutal weather conditions and in front of a fired-up home crowd, the Basques controlled territory, showed superior discipline, and struck when it mattered — with fly-half Joris Segonds guiding them superbly and winger Tom Spring scoring the game’s only try. Segonds opened the scoring from the tee and added a drop goal in the 24th minute, while Clermont’s veteran Urdapilleta responded with three points of his own. But Bayonne held the upper hand throughout a sloppy, error-filled first half, finishing it 9–3 ahead after another Segonds penalty and Urdapilleta’s costly miss before the break. The turning point came just past the 55-minute mark when Camille Lopez — fresh off the bench — delivered a pinpoint cross-field kick for Spring, who beat Newsome and Raka to score. Lopez added two penalties to seal the win, as Clermont crumbled under mounting discipline issues and saw Bezy sent to the bin. Bayonne now advance to face Toulouse in the semi-final at Parc OL in Lyon — 42 years after their last appearance at this stage.
BAYONNE
- Tries: Spring (56’)
- Penalties: Segonds (19’, 34’), Lopez (62’, 72’)
- Drop Goals: Segonds (24’)
CLERMONT
- Penalties: Urdapilleta (26’)
TOULON EXPLODE IN SECOND HALF TO CRUSH CASTRES AND REACH SEMI-FINALS
Toulon 52 – 23 Castres (HT: 12–10)
Toulon booked their place in the Top 14 semi-finals for the first time since 2017 with a resounding 52–23 win over Castres at Stade Mayol. After a tightly contested first half, the home side broke the game open with a clinical and high-paced second-half performance, scoring six tries in total to overpower a Castres team that ran out of steam. Castres struck first through Papali’i, who powered over following a quick tap, while Jaminet kept Toulon in touch with three penalties. Injuries to key Castres backs—including Le Brun and Palis—disrupted their rhythm, and Jaminet’s fourth penalty just before the break gave Toulon a narrow lead at halftime. The second half saw Toulon shift into another gear. Jaminet added an early penalty before Serin crossed after a sharp maul and offload from Tuicuvu. Fernandez responded for Castres to make it 26–23, but from there, Toulon dominated. Isa finished a long-range maul, White pounced on a loose ball, and late tries from Nonu and Wainiqolo sealed a convincing win. Toulon now head to face Bordeaux-Bègles in the semi-finals, brimming with momentum and belief.
TOULON
- Tries: Jaminet (52'), Serin (57’), Isa (59’), White (73’), Nonu (78’), Wainiqolo (80’)
- Conversions: Jaminet (53', 58', 60', 74', 79')
- Penalties: Jaminet (15’, 29’, 38’, 40’)
CASTRES
- Tries: Papali’i (19’), Fernandez (58’)
- Conversions: Palis (20'), Fernandez (59')
- Penalties: Palis (35’), Fernandez (43', 55')
ACCESS MATCH
While the barrages decided who advanced to the semi-finals, the Access Match determined who would stay in France’s top division.
Perpignan and Grenoble faced off in a winner-takes-all showdown at Stade des Alpes, with Top 14 survival and Pro D2 promotion on the line.
In a tense, physical battle that went down to the wire, it was Perpignan who held their nerve to secure another season in the elite.
PERPIGNAN EDGE GRENOBLE IN DRAMATIC ACCESS MATCH TO STAY IN TOP 14
Grenoble 11 – 13 Perpignan (HT: 8–7)
Perpignan secured their Top 14 status for a fifth consecutive season with a tense 13–11 win over Grenoble in the Access Match at Stade des Alpes. In sweltering heat and in front of a packed stadium, the Catalan club held off a spirited Grenoble side, with Tommaso Allan’s late penalty proving the difference in a nail-biting contest. The game exploded into life early, with Veredamu crossing in the 3rd minute to give Perpignan the ideal start. But Grenoble responded with grit, dominating possession and territory for the rest of the first half. Hulleu had two tries ruled out by the TMO before Lainault forced his way over, and Davies added a penalty to give the hosts an 8–7 halftime lead. Perpignan upped their physicality after the break and began to claw back control. Allan missed an early penalty, and De la Fuente was denied by a sensational Heriteau tackle under the posts. But Allan eventually slotted a kick in the 65th minute to make it 10–8. Grenoble responded through Trouilloud’s penalty, briefly taking the lead, but with three minutes left, Allan calmly nailed the match-winner after a dominant Catalan scrum. Grenoble, who topped the Pro D2 regular season, fall short once again in their bid for promotion, while Perpignan live to fight another season in France’s top flight.
GRENOBLE
- Tries: Lainault (23’)
- Penalties: Davies (39’), Trouilloud (74’)
PERPIGNAN
- Tries: Veredamu (3’)
- Conversions: Allan (4')
- Penalties: Allan (65’, 77’)
The 2025 Top 14 playoff picture is now fully set.
Bayonne will take on Toulouse, while Toulon face Bordeaux-Bègles in the semi-finals next weekend. Meanwhile, Perpignan have secured their Top 14 status after edging Grenoble in a gritty Access Match.
With the season’s biggest clashes still to come, the battle for the Bouclier de Brennus is heating up.
Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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