Top 14 Preview: Round 10

Editor

Clermont Auvergne will look to extend their lead at the summit of the Top 14 table when they take on Lyon at the Marcel Michelin on Sunday.

It is the standout contest of the weekend as France’s top domestic league returns after a three-week break for the November internationals.

Elsewhere, a Joe Worsley-led Bordeaux will face strugglers Toulon in UBB’s first game since the departure of Rory Teague, while Toulouse will attempt to keep pace with leaders Clermont when they visit Pau.

Saturday
Bordeaux-Bègles vs Toulon
Agen vs Montpellier
Pau vs Toulouse
Perpignan vs Castres
Racing 92 vs Grenoble

Sunday
Stade Francais vs La Rochelle
Clermont Auvergne vs Lyon

Bordeaux-Bègles vs Toulon
Stade Chaban-Delmas

Bordeaux may be within striking distance of the top-six but it did not prevent Teague from losing his job as head coach and Worsley being named as his interim replacement.

The decision to alter the coaching staff came following the side’s heavy defeat to Toulouse at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, which was their fourth loss of the season.

It initially seems a strange one when you consider their performance from the week previous, where they impressively beat Lyon 35-13, but Teague was under pressure following a dismal run in the early part of 2018.

With the hosts in transition, it could provide Toulon with an opportunity to secure successive victories, but they have otherwise been on a wretched run of form and it would be a surprise to see Patrice Collazo’s outfit emerge triumphant on Saturday.

Last season’s result: Bordeaux won 30-27
Kick-off: 14:45 local (13:45 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Dufort
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos, Eric Soulan
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure

Agen vs Montpellier
Stade Armandie

It has been a frustrating campaign for Montpellier in 2018/19 so far and they are likely to face another tough test, despite Agen’s position in the bottom two.

Philippe Sella’s men may have only won just two games all season in the Top 14 but they are difficult to beat at home, with their sole defeat at the Stade Armandie coming against Pau.

The strugglers have also been slightly more competitive away from home recently and came away with a bonus-point against La Rochelle in Round Nine.

Vern Cotter’s outfit will still be favourites for this encounter due to their star-studded XV which will take to the field, but they have yet to truly find their form.

Last season’s result: Agen won 31-29
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Cyril Lafon
Assistant referees: Sebastien Boyer, Jacques De Lemos
TMO: Mourad Zitouni

Pau vs Toulouse
Stade du Hameau

They may not quite be there yet, but there is a sense that Toulouse are starting to rekindle some of their old magic and Ugo Mola’s men will look to maintain their position in the top-two.

Les Rouge et Noir thrashed Bordeaux 40-0 in their last outing to reduce the deficit to leaders Clermont and they undoubtedly hope to benefit from Pau’s poor form.

Simon Mannix’s charges have lost their previous couple of games and escaped with a narrow victory over winless Perpignan in Round Seven.

The hosts will fancy their chances at the Stade du Hameau of claiming a win and moving themselves closer to the play-off positions, but confidence is high in the visitors’ ranks.

Last season’s result: Pau won 11-10
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Laurent Cardona
Assistant referees: Cedric Clave, Bruno Gabaldon
TMO: Sebastien Minery

Perpignan vs Castres
Stade Aime Giral

It is a question which is seemingly asked every week, but will Perpignan finally end their barren spell and claim a victory in France’s top-tier?

Not since 2014 have the Catalans emerged triumphant in the Top 14 and this season the record stands at nine consecutive defeats.

Even at this stage of the campaign, it is difficult to see them getting out of trouble. Home games are vital and they have failed to make the Stade Aime Giral a fortress in 2018/19.

It used to a feared place to visit but Castres, like the teams before them, will not fear going there and will expect to continue the hosts’ misery.

Last season’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Adrien Descottes
Assistant referees: Mathieu Noirot, Jean-Claude Labarbe
TMO: Bruno Bessot

Racing 92 vs Grenoble
Paris La Defense Arena

One of the few matches this weekend which appears a foregone conclusion with Racing 92 in decent shape heading into the Christmas and New Year period.

Grenoble managed to gain a valuable draw in their previous away game against Agen before they impressively held Clermont at the Stade des Alpes in Round Nine, but challenging the Parisians in the capital will be a tougher task.

Racing defeated Montpellier at the GGL Stadium in their previous encounter and are playing some excellent rugby at the moment.

Although their home record has been surprisingly poor, with two of their three defeats coming at the Paris La Defense Arena, the play-off challengers should have no problem on Saturday evening.

Last season’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Julien Castaignede
Assistant referees: Nicolas Datas, Thierry Guilloton
TMO: Denis Grenouillet

Stade Francais vs La Rochelle
Stade Jean-Bouin

Having enjoyed an excellent start to the season, Stade Francais were stunned in their previous match and will look for a significant improvement this weekend.

Heyneke Meyer’s men were thrashed 41-6 by a rampant Lyon in Round Nine, a result which dropped them down to third in the table.

They are only two points off second, however, and will duly attempt to seal their seventh win of the domestic campaign, but the Parisians are facing a team in form.

La Rochelle, who are also in the top-six, are close behind and have been boosted by the arrival of new director of rugby Jono Gibbes after the New Zealander took official charge 11 days ago.

Last season’s result: Stade won 35-24
Kick-off: 12:30 local (11:30 GMT)
Referee: Vincent Blasco-Baque
Assistant referees: Flavien Hourquet, Sebastien Hebert
TMO: Akim Hadj-Bachir

Clermont Auvergne vs Lyon
Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin

The biggest game of the weekend is once again the last one as Clermont host Lyon in a battle between two of the top-four.

Pierre Mignoni’s men were disappointing in Round Eight but responded a week later to dominate Stade Francais and emerge 41-6 winners, giving them confidence heading into the break.

Meanwhile, Les Jaunards suffered their first real hiccup after they failed to overturn strugglers Grenoble at the Stade des Alpes, drawing 27-27.

They have been left to stew on that result and no doubt Mignoni’s team will feel a backlash from Auvergne, who will be looking to increase their lead in the standings.

Last season’s result: Clermont won 39-18
Kick-off: 16:50 local (15:50 GMT)
Referee: Tual Trainini
Assistant referees: Maxime Chalon, Arnaud Blondel
TMO: Laurent Sclafer