Top 14 Preview: Round 13
Racing 92 and Toulouse kick-off proceedings in the Top 14 on Friday night before Saturday sees six further games take place.
Agen take on Brive in a crucial bottom-of-the-table clash while Montpellier and Lyon go head-to-head in what should be a titanic contest.
Friday
Racing 92 vs Toulouse
Saturday
Agen vs Brive
Bordeaux-Bègles vs La Rochelle
Montpellier vs Lyon
Castres vs Stade Francais
Pau vs Clermont Auvergne
Toulon vs Oyonnax
Racing 92 vs Toulouse
The U Arena
Just one point separates these two giants of French rugby heading into this clash, but it is the Parisians who have the momentum.
Although their fine run was halted by local rivals Stade Francais in early December, they have put themselves in an excellent position in the Top 14.
Meanwhile, Friday’s opponents have struggled recently following their bright start and succumbed 41-31 to Castres in their previous domestic contest.
All signs therefore point to a home victory but the caveat comes in Toulouse’s last away match in the league when they impressively defeated Lyon.
Last year’s result: Racing won 28-14
Kick-off: 20:45 local (19:45 GMT)
Referee: Jerome Garces
Assistant referees: Cyril Lafon, Jean-Claude Labarbe
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
Agen vs Brive
Stade Armandie
A huge game at the bottom of the table and a win for either team could be the catalyst they need to escape from the lower reaches of the league.
To an extent, both sides showed improvements before their European sojourn, with Agen defeating Stade Francais and only just succumbing to Clermont Auvergne, while Brive overcame relegation rivals Oyonnax and drew away to Bordeaux-Bègles.
Tight and tense clashes tend to favour the home team and Philippe Sella’s men have been particularly obstinate at the Stade Armandie, even against the top clubs.
Last year’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 14:00 local (13:00 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite
Assistant referees: Vincent Blasco-Baque, Laurent Breil
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
Bordeaux-Bègles vs La Rochelle
Matmut Atlantique
La Rochelle, no doubt disappointed by their effort in Coventry last weekend, will be looking to respond following that 21-3 reversal at Wasps in the European Champions Cup.
Patrice Collazo made a number of changes for that game, perhaps with this encounter in mind, and they will fancy their chances with Bordeaux struggling for form.
Jacques Brunel’s men started the season brightly but have tailed off slightly, both domestically and in Europe. They only reside three points off the top-six but UBB are arguably facing the best team in France and will not be in their usual surroundings, with the match being played at the 42,000-capacity Matmut Atlantique – the home of the football team.
Last year’s result: Bordeaux won 26-0
Kick-off: 16:00 local (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Thomas Charabas
Assistant referees: Tual Trainini, Arnaud Blondel
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin
Montpellier vs Lyon
Altrad Stadium
Another clash which on paper pits a couple of high-flyers against each other but it actually brings together two out of form teams. While Montpellier can rightly be pleased with their efforts in rounds three and four of Europe, successive defeats in the Top 14 saw them overtaken by La Rochelle at the summit.
It’s been even worse for Lyon, who also once led the standings, after suffering four consecutive losses to La Rochelle, Clermont Auvergne, Toulouse and Toulon.
In particular, their away form will be of concern to boss Pierre Mignoni. 77 points in total have been shipped by his defence in their last two games on the road and Mignoni’s men will need to improve significantly if they are to take anything from their visit to the south of France.
Last year’s result: Montpellier won 25-20
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere
Assistant referees: Tual Trainini, Patrick Pechambert
TMO: Eric Gauzins
Castres vs Stade Francais
Stade Pierre-Fabre
Forgetting their European excursions, where they succumbed to Racing 92 last weekend, it has been a remarkable couple of months for Castres.
After seven games, Christophe Urios’ side were closer to Agen than they were to the top, but five domestic victories in a row have catapulted them up the table.
A fine victory at Toulouse last time out displayed their confidence and, if form is the barometer, they should have no problems in dispatching of Stade.
Although the Parisians have done enough to move themselves clear of basement-dwellers Oyonnax, they are a shadow of the team that won the title in 2015.
Last year’s result: Castres won 33-10
Kick-off: 20:45 local (19:45 GMT)
Referee: Ludovic Cayre
Assistant referees: Laurent Cardona, Bruno Gabaldon
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure
Pau vs Clermont Auvergne
Stade du Hameau
Are there finally signs of a Clermont Auvergne revival? Four victories in five, including that remarkable 46-14 trouncing of double European champions Saracens, suggests there are.
Franck Azema’s men will have to continue that form, however, at the equally inconsistent Pau. Like Clermont, Simon Mannix’s side have failed to produce at the highest level every week and, as a result, reside down in 10th position in the table, two points behind Auvergne.
In a league where the home team tends to dominates, Pau will be confident but, as they found out against Montpellier and Stade Francais earlier in the season, it is not a foregone conclusion.
Last year’s result: Pau won 40-35
Kick-off: 20:45 local (19:45 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Assistant referees: Cedric Clave, Jacques De Lemos
Toulon vs Oyonnax
Stade Mayol
It has been another turbulent season for Toulon with performances on the field not quite matching the quality of player they have in their ranks.
While Bath were superb in the Champions Cup last weekend, it was a disappointing result for Fabien Galthie’s men.
They should, however, have no problems in defeating Oyonnax, who are at the foot of the table with just one victory all season.
That came in the third game of the campaign, when they overcame fellow promoted outfit Agen, and it is difficult to see them taking anything from the Stade Mayol.
Last year’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 20:45 local (19:45 GMT)
Referee: Maxime Chalon
Assistant referees: Vivien Praderie, Thierry Guilloton
TMO: Patrick Dellac