Top 14 Preview: Round Eight
Two in-form teams go head-to-head in the Top 14 on Saturday as Montpellier visit Paris to take on Stade Francais at the Stade Jean-Bouin.
Elsewhere, leaders Clermont Auvergne open proceedings against defending champions Castres in what should be a thrilling affair, while two strugglers face-off in Agen and Grenoble.
Saturday
Clermont Auvergne vs Castres
Agen vs Grenoble
Perpignan vs Toulouse
Racing 92 vs Pau
Stade Francais vs Montpellier
Sunday
Bordeaux-Bègles vs Lyon
Toulon vs La Rochelle
Clermont Auvergne vs Castres
Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin
One of the games of the weekend takes place on Saturday afternoon as league leaders Clermont host Castres at the Marcel Michelin.
Christophe Urios’ men have had a difficult run of games since the start of the season but they handled it superbly up until their encounter against Stade Francais in Round Seven. The defending champions succumbed 14-9 at home to the Parisians and another defeat could see them fall out of the top-six.
Although Urios’ charges recovered well to defeat Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup, they are facing a Clermont team who are confident and, to an extent, well rested.
Les Jaunards have played two games in the less intense Challenge Cup over recent weeks and should be confident and refreshed heading into this encounter.
Last season’s result: Castres won 31-27
Kick-off: 14:45 local (13:45 BST, 12:45 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Assistant referees: Adrien Descottes, Sebastien Hebert
TMO: Eric Gauzins
Agen vs Grenoble
Stade Armandie
Agen host Grenoble in a game which may be crucial come the end of the season, with both likely to be in a scrap for survival.
With the home team in 13th and the visitors in 11th going into the game, a win for either side would provide a huge boost.
In particular, Philippe Sella’s men need a result after succumbing to Pau in their previous match at the Stade Armandie.
Grenoble have impressed at times, however, and defeated Bordeaux in Round Seven, but they have yet to win on their travels this season.
Last season’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 BST, 16:00 GMT)
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos, Arnaud Blondel
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure
Perpignan vs Toulouse
Stade Aime Giral
It was all positive for the Catalans heading into this season but seven successive losses has left them rooted to the foot of the table.
They couldn’t even build momentum in the Challenge Cup after losing at home to Sale, although they did manage to gain a draw away at Bordeaux in the second round of that competition.
Perpignan therefore desperately need a victory but they are facing a Toulouse team who have excelled recently, beating both Bath and defending champions Leinster in the Champions Cup.
Ugo Mola’s men also made a habit of defeating the lower ranked teams during the previous campaign and Les Rouge et Noir will look to maintain that ability on Saturday.
Last season’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 BST, 16:00 GMT)
Referee: Thomas Charabas
Assistant referees: Julien Castaignede, Patrick Pechambert
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
Racing 92 vs Pau
Paris La Defense Arena
After a successful couple of weeks in the Champions Cup, Racing 92 will look to take that form back into the league.
The Parisians have once again struggled for consistency in the Top 14, following up an impressive victory at Stade Francais by succumbing to Lyon at home in Round Seven.
Their previously imperious record at the Paris La Defense Arena has duly been shattered by that loss and their defeat to Clermont Auvergne earlier in the year, and they will attempt to make it a fortress once again.
Racing will expect to beat Pau comfortably, however, even if Simon Mannix’s men reside just one point behind the 2016 domestic champions in the table.
Last season’s result: Racing won 23-20
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 BST, 16:00 GMT)
Referee: Tual Trainini
Assistant referees: Francois Bouzac, Jean-Claude Labarbe
TMO: Cedric Marchat
Stade Francais vs Montpellier
Stade Jean-Bouin
Heading into the European break, there were signs of significant improvement from Montpellier, but there is still an air of uncertainty surrounding last season’s runners-up.
Their performances improved leading into the Champions Cup, winning three games on the bounce, but they have been decidedly unconvincing over the past two weeks.
Vern Cotter’s men only just beat Edinburgh and then succumbed to an injury-stricken Newcastle Falcons in Round Two.
No doubt second place Stade will sense an opportunity to emerge victorious for the sixth time this season and continue to put pressure on Clermont Auvergne, who still reside at the summit.
Last season’s result: Stade won 31-20
Kick-off: 20:45 local (19:45 BST, 18:45 GMT)
Referee: Jerome Garces
Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre, Thierry Guilloton
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
Bordeaux-Bègles vs Lyon
Stade Chaban-Delmas
Perhaps one of the more intriguing contests starts proceedings on Sunday when Bordeaux take on Lyon at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.
Rory Teague’s outfit reside down in eighth place but are only four points off Saturday’s opponents and could therefore overtake them in the league.
They will also be facing a team who recently struggled in the Champions Cup, losing their opening two games, but the Top 14 seems to be more to their liking.
2018/19 is their debut in Europe’s top-tier and it showed, but Pierre Mignoni always has his team well drilled in the France’s premier competition.
Last season’s result: Bordeaux won 19-10
Kick-off: 12:30 local (11:30 GMT)
Referee: Vincent Blasco-Baque
Assistant referees: Maxime Chalon, Jean-Luc Rebollal
TMO: Eric Gonthier
Toulon vs La Rochelle
Stade Mayol
The final match of the weekend sees Toulon looking to end their terrible run of form when they take on La Rochelle.
It is a game which pits the under pressure Patrice Collazo against his former club and wouldn’t it be ironic should the visitors end their former boss’ reign at the three-time European champions?
They were abysmal in the opening rounds of the Champions Cup, losing to both Newcastle Falcons and Edinburgh, and are short of wins in the league.
Having secured just two victories domestically, they sit 12th in the table and another loss may see owner Mourad Boudjellal lose patience, but that threat could possibly spur the hosts on to a morale-boosting triumph.
Last season’s result: Toulon won 26-20
Kick-off: 16:50 local (15:50 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere
Assistant referees: Jonathan Dufort, Frederic Chazal
TMO: Patrick Dellac