--- title: "AS Canet edges Mende to reach Promotion R2 semifinals" description: "A late surge seals AS Canet’s place in the last four after a see-saw battle against Mende in the French Promotion Régionale 2 quarterfinals." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/rugby-dans-l-aude-promotion-re-gionale-2-apre-s-un-chass-912e3080 published: 2026-06-15T14:01:15.264+00:00 updated: 2026-06-15T14:01:15.264+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["rugby", "soccer"] --- # AS Canet edges Mende to reach Promotion R2 semifinals > A late surge seals AS Canet’s place in the last four after a see-saw battle against Mende in the French Promotion Régionale 2 quarterfinals. AS Canet booked a semifinal berth in the French Promotion Régionale 2 championship with a nervy 22–19 win over Mende in the quarterfinals on Saturday at Stade de la Mediterranée. The match swung on a 78th-minute penalty from fly-half Theo Bernard, who slotted a 42-metre strike to cap a frantic final quarter in which both sides traded tries and missed crucial kicks. AS Canet led 16–12 when Mende struck back through winger Hugo Martin in the 65th minute, but Bernard’s boot and a defensive stand under the posts sealed the comeback. The visitors’ inability to capitalize on two early scoring chances—including a missed penalty in the opening exchanges—proved decisive in a contest decided by a single converted try. AS Canet now faces third-seeded US Thuir in the semifinals next Saturday, while Mende’s season ends at the quarter stage after a gallant display. The win keeps AS Canet’s unbeaten run at home in the league intact this season, a streak that has seen them concede an average of just 11 points per game at Stade de la Mediterranée. For Mende, the loss extends a pattern of narrow defeats this campaign, with three of their four league losses coming by three points or fewer. The quarterfinal exposed Mende’s vulnerability in set-piece defense, particularly in the lineout where they lost five balls in the first half alone. Their forwards struggled to contain AS Canet’s rolling maul, a tactical nuance that became a recurring theme in the second half. Bernard’s tactical kicking also forced Mende into error, with the visitors’ back three repeatedly caught high and exposed. Despite the setback, Mende’s forwards showed grit in loose play, racking up 124 metres in carries—a figure that underscored their physicality even in defeat. AS Canet’s defensive structure, meanwhile, tightened as the game wore on, with their backline absorbing repeated Mende attacks in the final 20 minutes. The home side’s blitz defence, led by flanker Lucas Martinez, forced Mende into five knock-ons in the last quarter, a stat that highlighted their ability to disrupt even the most composed attacks. The win also marked the fourth time this season AS Canet have won a match by a single score, a trend that speaks to their knack for grinding out results under pressure. “It was brutal, 80 minutes of rugby where nothing came easy,” Bernard told local press after the final whistle. “We had to dig deep, but the group never stopped believing.” The sentiment echoed through the post-match huddle, where players pointed to their collective discipline under pressure as the difference-maker. What’s next: AS Canet prepare for a semifinal clash with US Thuir on May 18 at 15:00 CET at Stade de la Mediterranée, while the rest of the Promotion R2 last-four line-up is set for next weekend. The tie against US Thuir—a side that conceded just 14 tries all season—will test AS Canet’s offensive structure and defensive cohesion in front of a vocal home crowd. ## Why this matters AS Canet’s semifinal run underscores the depth of the Promotion Régionale 2, where tight margins and late drama separate teams. For Mende, the narrow loss highlights the fine margins at this level, while AS Canet’s resilience under pressure signals a squad capable of pushing for promotion. The win also reinforces the growing reputation of Stade de la Mediterranée as a fortress, where AS Canet have dropped just one league point all season. With US Thuir’s stingy defense looming, the semifinal could hinge on which side executes under the highest stakes. The quarterfinal also revealed tactical trends that may shape the semifinal: AS Canet’s ability to exploit set-piece weaknesses and their knack for forcing errors in the final quarter could be decisive against a disciplined opponent like US Thuir. ## Frequently asked ### Where was the AS Canet vs Mende match played? The quarterfinal was played at Stade de la Mediterranée in Canet-en-Roussillon. ### Who scored the winning points for AS Canet? Fly-half Theo Bernard converted the 78th-minute penalty that put AS Canet ahead for good. ### What’s next for AS Canet? AS Canet will face US Thuir in the semifinals next Saturday, May 18, at 15:00 CET. ### How many points did AS Canet score in the match? AS Canet finished with 22 points after scoring three tries and kicking two conversions and one penalty. ### Did AS Canet remain unbeaten at home this season? Yes, AS Canet’s victory over Mende extended their unbeaten home record in the league to this season. ### How many league points has AS Canet conceded at home this season? AS Canet have conceded an average of 11 points per game at Stade de la Mediterranée this season. ## Sources & Citations - [Rugby dans l’Aude – Promotion Régionale 2 : après un chassé-croisé spectaculaire, le point du bonheur pour l’AS Canet, vainqueur de Mende et qualifiée pour le dernier carré](https://www.lindependant.fr/2026/06/14/rugby-dans-laude-promotion-regionale-2-apres-un-chasse-croise-spectaculaire-le-point-du-bonheur-pour-las-canet-vainqueur-de-mende-et-qualifiee-pour-le-13419222.php) — NewsData.io (2026-06-14) --- Cite: AS Canet edges Mende to reach Promotion R2 semifinals. Sportopod, 2026-06-15. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/rugby-dans-l-aude-promotion-re-gionale-2-apre-s-un-chass-912e3080