Nevers passed the first round of the play-offs to reach the Top 14 by winning at home 24 to 12 Thursday against Carcassonne, and will have to challenge Mont-de-Marsan in the semi-finals on Sunday May 29.
Nevers, 4th at the end of the regular season, scored two tries by third line Luka Plataret and scrum half Joris Cazenave. Carcassonne, 5th in the championship, only managed to register four penalties by its scrum half Samuel Marques. Qualified for his second play-off in five years of presence in Pro D2, Nevers and his manager Xavier Péméja will now have the heavy task of playing on the ground of Mont-de-Marsan, the best team of the regular season.
Friday, Oyonnax, 3rd in the regular season, receives Colomiers (6th). The winner will then do battle on the field of Bayonne in the second semi-final. The final for the accession to the Top 14 will be played on Sunday June 5 in Montpellier.