Top 14: A record Toulouse, Bielle-Biarrey on the edge, Vannes too fragile... the regular season in figures

With 118 tries scored (far ahead of UBB, 98), the two-time reigning French champion set a new record in the history of the Top 14, improving on its own record dating back to last season (103 tries). Also prolific on foot, the Toulousains also broke the record for the number of points scored in the regular season: 891, erasing the 830 points scored by Clermont during the 2020-21 season.

Bayonne fly-half Joris Segonds and Pau scrum-half Thibault Daubagna are the only two players in the league to have appeared on all 26 match sheets this season. Montpellier's English centre-back Billy Vunipola could have followed suit had he not been shown a red card against Racing 92 on Matchday ^25. This penalty deprived him of the final match against Clermont. However, in terms of playing time, the prize goes to Vannes captain Francisco Gorrissen, with 1,728 minutes played. The Argentinian centre-back is ahead of Stade Français captain Paul Gabrillagues (1,728) and another Vannes player, Maxime Lafage (1,707).

Also read : Top 14: UBB runners-up, home advantage for Bayonne and Toulon... The semi-final fixtures are known

The podium for the best try scorers in the regular season was undecided until the end. With his brace on Saturday against Vannes, Louis Bielle-Biarrey finished first with 13 touches, just ahead of RCT winger Gaël Dréan (12 tries), Bayonne's Fijian center Sireli Maqala, Racing 92 scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec, and Pau center Émilien Gailleton (11 tries each). The top three can still improve their totals since their clubs have qualified for the final phase. As for the best scorer, Section Paloise's English fly-half Joe Simmonds scored 255 points, just ahead of Vannes' Maxime Lafarge (253). Le Garrec completes the podium with 228 points.

Aviron Bayonnais, who qualified for the Top 14 finals for the first time in their history , have had a clean sweep at home, both at Jean-Dauger and at Anoeta (where they played two matches), with 13 wins in as many home games this season. They are the only team undefeated at home this season. This bodes well ahead of hosting Clermont in the play-off next Friday.

The Breton club hoped to avoid relegation until the final matchday. In vain. The fault lies with a defense that is too fragile: 891 points conceded, the worst of the season (ahead of Stade Français, 755). Yet, it was RCV's Fijian, Sione Kalamafoni, who finished as the best defender of the season with 264 successful tackles. Stade Toulousain boasted the best defense with only 462 points conceded.

Stade Français, who finished ^12th in the Top 14, did not win a single away game. The worst away team in the league with 13 defeats in 13 matches, the Pink Soldiers only took two defensive bonus points, away to Vannes and Perpignan, who finished ^14th and ^13th respectively.

With 32 yellow cards, the Parisians are the most sanctioned team in the championship. Their flanker Cameron Woki has received four this season, including two in a single match that resulted in a permanent ban. Perpignan, on the other hand, are the most disciplined, having received only 15 yellow cards. However, it is Aviron Bayonnais who have conceded the most penalties: 323 in 26 matches.