Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle have missed out on the Top 14 playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season after a tense final night of the French regular season - and it could prove hugely beneficial for Joe Schmidt's Lions preparations.
A 32-18 loss to Pau saw O'Gara's men emerge as the big losers of the evening, with Clermont overtaking La Rochelle with a 23-10 win at Montpellier - with La Rochelle missing out by a single competition point to Castres on the ladder, with the southern French side scraping through in the last finals position despite going down 21-10 to Stade Français.
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Stade Français' victory over Castres will ensure ensure their Top 14 survival, with the side just scraping clear of the relegation play-off.
"We're not going to be cocky," said Stade forward Paul Gabrillagues.
"When you have a season like this, you have to be very humble."
Despite clinging onto finals contention at La Rochelle's expense, Castres coach Xavier Sadourny was scathing of this side's performance against Stade Français.
"I think we played one of our worst matches of the season," he said.
"But we've through. At the same time, it would have been hard not to qualify given the season we're having."
The Parisians finished one point ahead of Perpignan, who scored five tries in the last 30 minutes to beat first-placed Toulouse 42-35.
Perpignan can save their Top 14 spot if they win a play off against Grenoble, who lost Saturday's Pro2 final 24-19 to Montauban.
"We were a little disappointed that Paris won, but we gained confidence," said Perpignan hooker Mathys Lotrian, who scored two tries.
"We're already focused on the Grenoble match."
The loss hardly mattered to Toulouse, who had long since locked up first place in the table as they chase a third straight domestic title and a fifth in six seasons.
Vanves were crushed 59-28 by European champions Bordeaux Begles, finishing last on the ladder and being relegated. Bordeaux-Begles ensured second place and the other bye in the playoff first round.
Despite the disappointment for La Rochelle and Ronan O'Gara, the result could prove extremely beneficial for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
While Schmidt's policy to pick domestically has been a major part of his tenure, several overseas Wallabies are likely under consideration to feature against the British & Irish Lions - and likely at the top of that list would be Will Skelton.
Skelton has been instrumental in La Rochelle's success over the last few seasons, joining the Wallabies' Grand Slam tour last year alongside Samu Kerevi as the only two overseas players in the squad.
With all Australian Super Rugby sides bar the Brumbies now out of contention for the Super Rugby title, Schmidt is in the advanced stages of assembling his final squad for the Lions series - and which players he will bring into the squad from overseas could prove a major factor.
In addition to Skelton, several other stars have now become available after missing out on the French finals.
Fellow La Rochelle star Tolu Latu enjoyed a strong season since returning from a ban in January, featuring heavily in their loss over the weekend.
Jordan Uelese has also performed well for Montpellier, as has Feleti Kaitu'u for Racing 92 - scoring seven tries, the highest number scored by a forward this season in the competition.
Several other players are set to become available in the coming weeks as the knockouts commence, with Folau Fainga'a playing at Clermont, 2023 Rugby World Cup star Richie Arnold playing for top-placed side Toulouse, and Waratah-bound star Pete Samu in strong form for the Bordeaux Bègles.
