Preview: Top 14, Round One

It's that time again. A new Top 14 season is upon us with a whole new list of stars from far and wide to keep us entertained.

It's that time again. A new Top 14 season is upon us – three weeks earlier than anywhere else – with a whole new list of stars to keep us entertained.

The new season kicks off under ridiculous circumstances as a number of clubs will have to do without some of their French and Italian internationals since the obligatory rest period (eight weeks) since the end of the mid-year tests is yet to elapse!

If the fact that the previous season essentially overlaps with the new one was not enough of a clue that it's too long, powers that be have gone and extended it by enlarging the play-offs.

For the first time, teams finishing in fifth and sixth will have a crack at making the semi-finals. Only the top two teams in the standings will be assured a shot at the Final.

For all the comings and goings, the usual suspects РToulouse, Clermont, Stade Fran̤ais, Perpignan and Biarritz Рshould be teams to beat. The new pretenders to the crown, big spenders Brive and Toulon will however try to upset the apple cart.

The weekend starts with probably the pick of the clashes as depleted Stade Français will be given a hostile reception in Toulon. Defending champions Perpignan have a tricky opening fixture at home to Bayonne while Montauban host the South-West derby against Toulouse.

Elsewhere, newly promoted Racing Metro and Albi will renew the hostilities after duking it out in the ProD2 last season.

Fixtures:

Friday, August 14

Toulon v Stade Français

Saturday, August 15

Biarritz v Castres
Bourgoin v Clermont
Montauban v Toulouse
Albi v Racing Metro
Perpignan v Bayonne
Brive v Montpellier

Check out our club-by-club season previews here.
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Previews:

RC Toulon v Stade Français
Stade Félix-Mayol, Toulon

The cauldron that is Stade Félix-Mayol is sold out for the opening fixture of what promises to be an exciting season for Toulon. And what an opening fixture it is: A true North v South battle, but with an English flavour.

In the Toulon corner, Jonny Wilkinson headlines Philippe Saint-André's side who will be without captain Joe Van Niekerk and star centre Sonny Bill Williams. Tana Umaga will be wearing his coach's track suit, not his playing boots.

For the visitors, new recruits Benjamin Kayser, Julien Dupuy, Tom Palmer, James Haskell and Ryno Gerber are in the group to travel South.

Stade Fran̤ais have been hit by a spate of injuries and are missing a number of internationals, who cannot play until their mandatory rest period has elapsed. Rodrigo Roncero will lead the side at the venue where he was sent off last year after a flurry of punches Рthe atmosphere will be red hot.

The Parisians are missing no less than sixteen players Рthe Bergamasco brothers are in the same boat as the French internationals (Beauxis, Marconnet, Arias, Pap̩ and Szarzewski) while Sergio Parisse is banned until September 26.

In the absence of Lionel Beauxis, centre Brian Liebenberg could shift inside to number ten. The other option is young Argentine Ignacio Meieres. British imports Simon Taylor, Ollie Phillips and Hugo Southwell are all injured, as is Mathieu Bastareaud.

Kick-off: 20.45 (18.45 GMT)
Referee: Jean-Pierre Matheu

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Saturday, August 15

Biarritz Olympique v Castres Olympique
Parc des Sports Aguiléra, Biarritz

Biarritz have been impressive form in the preseason friendlies, cruising past both Clermont and Toulouse with consummate ease.

At the start of 2009 the Basques had hit rock bottom but the momentum gathered in the closing stages of last season seems to have carried over and confidence is high. The BO pack look positively scary and the backline has been given and injection of pace in the off-season.

After a terrible season last time around, Castres arrive on the Atlantic coast with an all-new coaching team and a much-changed squad. On paper the Tarnais look good but have they had enough time to put the new systems in place? A match away to Biarritz this early in the season may be a bridge too far.

Kick-off:16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: David Rosich

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CS Bourgoin-Jallieu v Clermont Auvergne
Stade Pierre-Rajon, Bourgoin

Clermont will have to get back on the horse after a third consecutive Final lost at the Stade de France. A visit to Stade Pierre-Rajon is probably a good place to start.

The Auvergnats make the short trip to Bourgoin with a strengthened squad and shouldn't waste any time in leaving their mark on the new season.

Scrum-half Morgan Parra will be right at home as he makes his debut for Clermont at the stadium he left just two months ago. His opposite number John Senio moved in the other direction, making for an interesting match up.

Former Sale prop Lionel Faure will also be out to impress for his new bosses at Clermont.

For Bourgoin, the mission will be to build some confidence after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. Their surprise appearance in European Challenge Cup Final was the first building block and the warm up games have shown some promising signs.

Kick-off:16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere

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Montauban v Stade Toulousain
Sapiac, Montauban

Toulouse will want to forget a disappointing season by starting this one off with a bang in the South West derby. Easier said than done since the list of their absentees is longer than Guy Novès' arm.

Fly-half is the most troubling position – Yannick Jauzion might have to fill in if Fred Michalak isn't fit.

Keep an eye on new number eight Louis Picamoles who has impressed the Toulouse staff with his work in the preseason. The rest of the squad however haven't been fantastic in the warm up games and Novès had a few harsh words for them after they were thumped in Biarritz last week.

Montauban are rebuilding but will be hoping their reputation for being difficult hosts is still intact. With a diminished budget and smaller squad, the green machine will be looking for reassuring performance under the guidance of former captain-turned-coach Marc Raynaud.

Kick-off:16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Franck Maciello

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SCA Albi v Racing Metro 92
Stade Municipale, Albi

Rivals in the ProD2 not long ago, Albi and Racing Metro have