Aviron Bayonnais, the Little Thumb of the final stages, dreams of shaking up the big guns of the Top 14

It's the surprise guest of the Top 14 final phase. A club more used to fighting for survival than to playing the leading roles in rugby's elite. And yet, Aviron Bayonnais has the opportunity, Friday, June 13 (9:05 p.m.), in its Jean-Dauger lair, against ASM Clermont Auvergne , to qualify for the semi-finals of the French championship. It's the first time in more than thirty years – and a derby lost against Biarritz in 1992 – that the Basque club has invited itself to this reserved club. At the time, rugby was still amateur.

Promoted to the Top 14 in 2022, the Ciel et Blanc have been bouncing back and forth between the Pro D2, the lower tier, for the past ten years. This track record doesn't make them a natural candidate for the Bouclier de Brennus, the trophy awarded to the French champion. At the start of the season, in September 2024, few would have bet on Aviron.

And then, very quickly, the Basque club's stock rose. A commanding home victory against Stade Rochelais on October 12 (37-7) began a run of seven wins in eight matches at the end of the first half. Since matchday ¹¹ , the Bayonne side have been firmly anchored in the top six places in the standings, synonymous with a play-off match. A position they have not relinquished since.

You have 74.99% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.