Season Preview: Top 14 2017/18
Clermont will hope to defend their Top 14 title when 2017/18 begins this weekend, but they will have plenty of challengers to their crown.
Franck Azema's men should once again be among the front-runners, while the likes of Toulon, Montpellier, Racing 92 and La Rochelle will also fancy their chances of challenging for the trophy.
At the other end, Agen and Oyonnax will battle to avoid the drop following promotion from the Pro D2.
Agen
Head coach: Philippe Sella
Last season: Pro D2 – 2nd (play-off winner)
The Top 14 newcomers have become the yo-yo side of French rugby over the last few years and it is difficult to see how they will be able to alter that pattern, even after their activity in the market.
Akapusi Qera (Montpellier), Jake McIntyre (Queensland Reds), Ignacio Mieres (US Dax) and Ricky Januarie (La Rochelle) add experience in key positions, but the loss of talented second-row William Demotte to Januarie’s former club leaves a hole in the engine room.
Agen couldn’t have asked for a tougher start with games against Montpellier and Racing 92, but the Stade Armandie-based side then visit fellow promoted outfit Oyonnax and those are the matches they must win if they are to stay up.
Player to Watch: A big pack and a quality scrum-half are a pre-requisite if you want to be successful in the Top 14. While the jury is out on the former, the latter should not be in doubt and Agen will need all of Ricky Januarie’s experience this season. The South African may be a touch rotund nowadays but he showed he was more than capable of playing at a high level with league leaders La Rochelle in 2016/17.
Bordeaux-Bègles
Head coach: Jacques Brunel
Last season: 11th
Despite such promise and a squad brimming with talent, Bordeaux have failed in their quest to reach the play-offs over the last two years.
That should not discourage them, though. As is the way in the ultra-competitive French top-tier, UBB – irrespective of their final league position – were not far away from the quarter-finals, finishing just eight points behind sixth placed Racing.
Leroy Houston, signed from the Reds, should suit the abrasive nature of the competition and will add ballast but, with Jean-Marcellin Buttin, Lionel Beauxis, Ian Madigan, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Steven Kitshoff all departing, a play-off push may well be out of the equation.
Player to Watch: The French academy system has quite rightly been criticised over recent years, but what they never fail to produce is quality scrum-halves. Baptiste Serin is another to come out of a rather lengthy production line to impress at club and international level and a lot will depend on the gifted half-back, whether at nine or stand-off, where he is also adept.
Brive
Head coach: Nicolas Godignon
Last season: 8th
Brive consistently show that you do not necessarily need a massive budget – relatively speaking – to compete with the French giants.
A second consecutive eighth place finish in 2016/17 was just reward for another solid season. Based around a tough, gnarly pack, the Stade Amedee-Domenech outfit is one of the hardest places to visit for any opposition.
Having once again kept the core of their squad together, particularly up front, and added Damien Lagrange (La Rochelle) and James Johnston (Worcester Warriors) to an already fearsome set of forwards, Brive will look to break into the top-six.
Financial disparity dictates that a position in the play-offs should be beyond them and, if they were to face a relegation battle, it would not be a complete surprise, but expect Brive to have another solid campaign.
Player to Watch: After starring for Harlequins and duly earning a move to Saracens in 2013 as a result, prop James Johnston has struggled to recapture the form he had at the Twickenham Stoop. Injuries haven’t helped but Johnston has failed to fulfil his immense promise and was a disappointment at previous club Worcester Warriors. This is a chance of a fresh start and hopefully a move to the slower-paced Top 14 will suit the Samoan international.
Castres
Head coach: Christophe Urios
Last season: 5th (play-off quarter-finalists)
Another team whose performances over the last two years have been admirable, securing successive play-off places. Both times they were eliminated in the quarter-finals, however, and supporters will look for an improvement this time around. Whether that is realistic is the question.
It’s a squad with few weaknesses but perhaps less star quality than some of their rivals, although their scrum can often be a potent weapon.
David Smith, despite now being in his 30s, remains a spark behind the set-piece while both Rory Kockott and Benjamin Urdapilleta are excellent off the tee. That should result in another positive season but an improvement is unlikely.
Player to Watch: New Zealander Alex Tulou will look to make up for lost time last season after spending three months on the sidelines. When fit, the number eight is fun to watch and memorably took Northampton Saints apart in the Champions Cup in October. Big, physical and fast, it is the perfect combination for a forward and expect Tulou to make a gargantuan impact in 2017/18.
Clermont Auvergne
Head coach: Franck Azema
Last season: 2nd (champions)
When Les Jaunards failed to lift the Champions Cup in May, succumbing in the final to a simply superior Saracens side, it felt as though they would never add to their solitary major trophy.
Seven years had passed since lifting the Bouclier de Brennus for the first time in their history and, following a succession of disappointments in the latter stages of competitions, that was yet another opportunity missed.
That despondency soon turned to elation, however, as Clermont showed impressive composure to win their second Top 14.
The question is: can Auvergne turn this into a dynasty? It would be difficult not to back them, particularly after signing arguably the world’s premier tighthead Rabah Slimani from Stade Français.
Franck Azema’s men were overpowered by Sarries in Europe’s top-tier competition but the addition of France’s first choice prop will add to their formidable forward pack.
Player to Watch: While it’s difficult to look beyond Slimani, Damian Penaud very much deserves the plaudits coming his way. His end of season form saw him head to South Africa in June with the national team and the centre was one of the few shining French lights. Although Azema has a number of individuals to choose from in the midfield, expect a more experienced Penaud to make a big impact.
La Rochelle
Head coach: Patrice Collazo
Last season: 1st (play-off semi-finalists)
Will there be a case of second-season syndrome for the previous campaign’s surprise package? La Rochelle shocked everyone, possibly even themselves, by dominating the league and finishing top of the table.
Of course, in the unique way play-off rugby works, that does not guarantee you the trophy and they were undone by Pierre Aguillon’s red card in the semi-final. It is to their credit that they were level going into the final minute but the 14 men eventually succumbed to Toulon following Anthony Belleau’s last-gasp drop-goal.
Spirit is what this tight-knit group is built on and instead of splashing out on star names, Rene Ranger (Blues) and Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs) the exceptions, Patrice Collazo has added intelligently, bringing in the likes of Jeremy Sinzelle and Geoffrey Doumayrou from Stade Francais.
Player to Watch: The third scrum-half on this list but for very good reason. Arthur Retière exploded onto the scene last season with his sheer power and pace, attributes which meant he was shifted out to the wing on occasion. With Kerr-Barlow joining the ranks, the France U20 international may well suffer the same fate over the coming campaign, but it will feel a waste of his talents should that happen.
Lyon
Head coach: Pierre Mignoni
Last season: 10th
Ambitious Lyon enjoyed an excellent campaign back in the top-flight, finishing in 10th position, and they appear determined to eclipse that performance.
Their list of signings is both lengthy and impressive in equal measure. Whether it’s the excellent Liam Gill, who was outstanding for Toulon in 2016/17, bolstering the back-row ranks or Jean-Marcellin Buttin (Bordeaux-Bègles) adding another threat from deep, Lyon should prove to be a significant threat.
The seemingly ageless Thibaut Privat may have retired but in ex-Racing 92 lock Francois van der Merwe they have a more than able replacement, meaning that a top-six finish should certainly be their target.
Player to Watch: Englishman Carl Fearns was one of the standouts in the Top 14 last season and, as a result, had a number of clubs clamouring for his services. Gloucester appeared to have won the race, announcing a three-year deal back in November, only for the back-rower to renege on that contract and re-sign for Lyon. Having upset plenty of Cherry and White supporters amidst that controversy, it will be interesting to see how the forward responds.
Montpellier
Head coach: Vern Cotter
Last season: 3rd (play-off quarter-finalists)
Montpellier’s third place, if you were to ask their supporters, was arguably one of the more unsatisfactory top-six finishes of recent times. While most would be lauded, Jake White was pilloried for ripping the heart out of the club by signing almost exclusively from overseas – primarily South Africa – and playing extremely dull rugby.
So what was owner Mohed Altrad’s response? That’s right, in came another foreign coach and a group of players from around the world, with Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster) and Jan Serfontein (Bulls) adding to an already glittering array of stars.
However, that is not entirely fair on Altrad or new head honcho Vern Cotter, who was rightly praised for his work at Clermont Auvergne. They also managed to pull off quite the coup by bringing back home-grown hero Louis Picamoles from Northampton Saints.
With all the cogs now in place, teams in both the Top 14 and Champions Cup should be fearful of Montpellier. It is undoubtedly one of the most talented squads around so it would be a failure if they were not to finish in the top-two.
Player to Watch: You could have picked any number of players here but it had to be ‘King Louis.’ A fans’ favourite from his previous time at Montpellier, where he came through the academy to become one of the most destructive players in world rugby, they will expect fireworks from the number eight. His stint in Northampton was a successful one for Picamoles. He looked noticeably leaner and, with Cotter demanding high fitness levels from his charges, expect the back-rower to continue that form.
Oyonnax
Head coach: Adrien Buononato
Last season: Pro D2 – 1st
Alongside Agen, Oyonnax bounced back to the Top 14 at the first time of asking but, much like their rivals from last season, they will face a battle to stay up.
Vincent Debaty (Clermont Auvergne) and Hika Elliot (Chiefs) are intelligent additions in the front-row while the Stade Charles-Mathon-based team will hope that Ben Botica and Mitch Inman, signed from Montpellier and Melbourne Rebels respectively, will provide the spark behind the scrum.
Despite promotion, they have a new boss in Adrien Buononato, who replaces Johann Authier – a decision made before the denouement of the 2016/17 campaign – and he will need to make an instant impact if they are to maintain their top-flight status.
Player to Watch: If Oyonnax are to be successful then they will need their half-backs to perform. In Ben Botica they potentially have a player to fire them to safety, even if his form over the past two years has been patchy at best. The 27-year-old had the misfortune of being behind Nick Evans at Harlequins but he struggled at Montpellier last season and will need to eradicate those inconsistencies at the Top 14 newcomers.
Pau
Head coach: Simon Mannix
Last season: 9th
Having spent much of the 2016/17 season in and around the top-six, they suffered a disappointing end of year run, losing four of their last five matches, to drop them down to ninth.
Expectations are high once again with Benson Stanley (Clermont) and Frank Halai (Wasps) in the backs, and Thomas Domingo (Clermont) and Peter Saili (Bordeaux) up front adding to their firepower.
The abrasive James Coughlan may have retired but they will still have some impressive back-row options, with Sean Dougall, Steffon Armitage and Paddy Butler all impressing when on the field, while Saili will only add to that. Another play-off push beckons.
Player to Watch: Outstanding Fijian wingers have almost become a stereotype in the Top 14 and Watisoni Votu has added to that rather long list, finishing as the second highest try-scorer last season. He may be 32 but the 13-times capped international still has plenty to offer and will receive plenty of quality ball thanks to Conrad Smith and Stanley in the midfield.
Racing 92
Head coach: Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers
Last season: 6th (play-off semi-finalists)
Racing seemed destined to follow fellow Parisians Stade Francais’ route of faltering after winning the title, but a late season surge rescued an otherwise disappointing season, where they were also eliminated at the group stages of the Champions Cup.
They managed to get through to the semi-finals following an impressive victory at Montpellier in the barrages, but Clermont ultimately ended their participation in the last-four.
Recruitment has been less active than some of their rivals for this season but the addition of lock Donnacha Ryan from Munster is an astute signing in the engine room. With Census Johnston (Toulouse) and Virimi Vakatawa (France Sevens) also joining, Racing will expect to be title challengers.
Player to Watch: Virimi Vakatawa is such a talent that he could play for the France 15s team without having a club, but the wing has now returned to the outfit where he began his professional career. It will benefit both him and Guy Novès, boss of the national side, as they seek to improve his defence and positional play.
Stade Français
Head coach: Greg Cooper
Last season: 7th
What to expect from the team that almost went out of business? Only protests from fans and players prevented them merging with rivals Racing and ceasing to exist at the end of last season.
Ironically, after a poor campaign and the future uncertain, it served to unite the team and provide the catalyst for a late season revival which saw them lift the Challenge Cup thanks to a victory over Gloucester.
They now have a new owner in German millionaire Hans-Peter Wild but have lost a number of key figures, including Rabah Slimani and Will Genia. With Willem Alberts and Sergio Parisse edging towards their mid-30s, a lack of experience will not be a factor but age may well catch up with them sooner rather than later.
Although Stade are now financially stable, it would be a surprise to see them challenge for the play-offs this year.
Player to Watch: Few signings particularly catch the eye, albeit Charl McLeod (Grenoble) and Ramiro Herrera (Jaguares) will bring value, so it will be left to the current crop to prove their worth. Jules Plisson, in keeping with most French fly-halves, is notoriously inconsistent but at his best is a fine player. Now 26, it is time for the 15-times capped international to start dominating on a regular basis.
Toulon
Head coach: Fabien Galthié
Last season: 4th (runners-up)
After such turmoil, which resulted in Diego Dominguez and then Mike Ford being relieved of their duties, Richard Cockerill, who ended the season as head honcho, did remarkably well to guide them to the Top 14 final.
Fabien Galthié has since taken over following the end of Cockerill’s short-term contract and is charged with the task of reclaiming Toulon’s place at the top of the domestic and European game.
The off-season has seen a large turnover of players but, although Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Juan Smith, James O’Connor and Liam Gill will be missed, the incomings are no less star-studded.
Chris Ashton, signed from Saracens, will be a reliable source of tries while ex-Highlander Malakai Fekitoa is an exciting addition in the midfield. The main question is how they replace the creativity and control of Giteau and that will be left to Anthony Belleau, Jonathan Wisniewski, Francois Trinh-Duc and Luke McAlister.
Player to Watch: Toulon were never quite the same team without Giteau on the field and, as a result, this could be a big year for Antony Belleau. They have options with the experienced Trinh-Duc, Wisniewski and McAlister, but the young fly-half is highly-rated within the club and showed outstanding composure to guide the Stade Mayol outfit to the Top 14 final last season.
Toulouse
Head coach: Ugo Mola
Last season: 12th
2016/17 was disastrous for Les Rouge et Noir and there were many in Europe, never mind the city itself, incredulous that Ugo Mola managed to retain his position.
In defence of Mola, the four-time European champions were in decline before Guy Novès decided to end his 37-year affiliation with Toulouse in 2015, but the former France international has so far done a pretty wretched job of rebuilding the side.
With some crucial individuals also leaving, this campaign may well end in similarly disappointing fashion. Yacouba Camara, Luke McAlister, Toby Flood, Census Johnston and Patricio Albacete have all departed while legendary captain Thierry Dusautoir has retired.
In response, the Stade Ernest-Wallon-based outfit have looked to Antoine Dupont (Castres) and Zack Holmes (La Rochelle) to solve their half-back issues, and New Zealand international Charlie Faumuina (Blues) to shore up the scrum.
There is still the talent to improve on last season but, with winnable games against Oyonnax and Pau first up, a good start is crucial.
Player to Watch: Toulouse’s scrum was a shadow of the one which proved so effective in 2015/16 and the onus will be on Charlie Faumuina to lay a stable platform. Not necessarily the most technically adept but certainly a prop with raw power, it will be vital for the tighthead to make an immediate impact.
by Colin Newboult