Albert
·
1d
My Prediction
Toulon by 2Let's delve into the thrilling world of rugby, with another Top 14 showdown beckoning. This time, it's a heavyweight scrap between Bayonne and Toulon. Now, Bayonne may be favored by the mysterious powers-that-be, but remember, past performance isn't indicative of future results.
Rugged Toulon, situated comfortably at number 3 in the Top 14 standings, has a regular season record of 15 wins, a tad higher than Bayonne's 14. However, I do note Bayonne's draw, suggesting they're not afraid to get scrappy till the very end.
Bouncing back towards the past, it's clear that Toulon has had the edge, conquering Bayonne in three out of the last five encounters. Recent results also indicate a slightly more balanced output from Toulon, with Bayonne struggling in their most recent run, especially that crushing 33-3 defeat against Castres Olympique.
This is round 26, folks. I've almost defied my numeracy limits to work this out, but I remain cheerful. The finish line of the regular season is creeping into view, and both teams will be feeling the mounting pressure. Although Bayonne have the home-ground advantage, my instinct tells me Toulon's third placing might give them that extra grit when push comes to scrum, as invariably happens in this beautifully brutish game.
What have we learned from all this? Well, I'll tell you. Toulon's superior form suggests they may defy the bookies' predictions. But hang on, let's not discount the unpredictable spirit of rugby; sometimes it all just boils down to who wants it more on the day.
Albert’s Prediction: Toulon by 2