Top 14 Preview: Round Three
Round Three's action begins with an intriguing Top 14 contest between last season's top two teams when La Rochelle host Clermont Auvergne.
Oyonnax then take on Agen in what could prove to be a crucial game in the battle to avoid the drop as the promoted sides go head-to-head.
Saturday
La Rochelle vs Clermont Auvergne
Bordeaux-Bègles vs Stade Français
Brive vs Racing 92
Oyonnax vs Agen
Castres vs Montpellier
Sunday
Pau vs Lyon
Toulon vs Toulouse
La Rochelle vs Clermont Auvergne
Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle
The top two from last season meet in the opening game of round three having endured relatively inauspicious starts by their high standards.
Despite both winning one of their first two matches – La Rochelle away to Brive and Clermont at home to Toulon – they have already shown fallibility.
It was not necessarily the results that displayed weakness but the manner of it. Patrice Collazo’s men were surprisingly lacklustre in succumbing to Stade Français last weekend while Auvergne were out-fought by Bordeaux in late August.
The respective bosses will therefore look for an improved performance by their sides in what should be an enthralling clash.
Last year’s result: La Rochelle and Clermont drew 30-30
Kick-off: 14:45 local (12:45 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite
Assistant referees: Stephane Boyer, Eric Soulan
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
Bordeaux-Bègles vs Stade Français
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
These are two teams you would not expect to be among the front-runners this season but who have surprised by producing a couple of top quality displays.
Bordeaux shocked champions Clermont in round one while Stade’s outstanding first half performance saw them take the spoils against La Rochelle the previous Saturday.
UBB, being the home side, will like their chances but Stade, after a disappointing opening day defeat to Lyon, have recovered well. A tough match to call.
Last year’s result: Bordeaux won 37-19
Kick-off: 18:00 local (16:00 GMT)
Referee: Adrien Descottes
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos, Frederic Chazal
TMO: Patrick Dellac
Brive vs Racing 92
Stade Amedee-Domenech, Brive
Racing’s plan to improve their away record got off to an extremely poor start last weekend after the 14 men faltered badly against promoted Agen.
Fortunately for the Parisians, they now have another opportunity to right those wrongs from the previous weekend when they take on Brive.
Nicolas Godignon’s men struggled in their opening two matches, going down in both contests, and the 2016 Top 14 champions will hope that their opponent’s disappointing form continues on Saturday.
The pressure will therefore be on for Brive, who tend to rely on their home games, to produce a performance in front of their supporters.
Last year’s result: Brive won 25-16
Kick-off: 18:00 local (16:00 GMT)
Referee: Laurent Cardona
Assistant referees: Jonathan Gasnier, Laurent Breil
TMO: Sebastien Minery
Oyonnax vs Agen
Stade Charles-Mathon, Oyonnax
It is not too early in the campaign to admit that this is a monumental contest for both teams. Perhaps more so for Oyonnax, who are yet to win a game despite pushing Toulouse all the way and eventually coming away with a draw a couple of weeks ago.
On paper, Agen had a horrific opening two matches but, following Anthony Tuitavake’s red card, Philippe Sella’s side shocked Racing 23-19.
That was a vital triumph for last season’s Pro D2 play-off victors but their fellow promoted outfit will no doubt be determined to get themselves off the mark for the year.
Last year’s result: Oyonnax won 21-16
Kick-off: 18:00 local (16:00 GMT)
Referee: Julien Castaignede
Assistant referees: Mathieu Delpy, Jean-Claude Labarbe
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
Castres vs Montpellier
Stade Pierre-Antoine, Castres
In many ways, Montpellier’s season starts here. Home encounters against promoted sides should be foregone conclusions for a team of that quality, and so it proved to be with Vern Cotter’s men thrashing both Agen and Oyonnax.
Castres will certainly be a much sterner test. They are in a confident mood following a superb second half display versus Bordeaux, where they scored four tries after the break.
Although the visitors have strengthened considerably in comparison to Saturday’s opponents – meaning that last season’s efforts at the Stade Pierre-Antoine should be rendered insignificant – a victory here would be a huge step forward for Cotter’s charges.
Last year’s result: Castres won 38-25
Kick-off: 20:45 local (18:45 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere
Assistant referees: Thomas Chereque, Sebastien Hebert
TMO: Eric Gauzins
Pau vs Lyon
Stade du Hameau, Pau
It may well be 13th versus 2nd but, even accounting for their efforts so far this season, the hosts will feel well-equipped to secure their first victory of the campaign.
Successive away games have seen a pair of poor performances at Toulon and Toulouse, but head coach Simon Mannix is looking to home comforts to kick-start their year.
Even though facing a talented Lyon side, who have been solid rather than spectacular in overcoming Stade Français and Brive, will be a difficult proposition, Pau have more than enough quality to open their account. If not, questions will be asked about their play-off credentials.
Last year’s result: Pau won 38-15
Kick-off: 12:30 local (10:30 GMT)
Referee: Maxime Chalon
Assistant referees: Nicolas Datas, Philippe Milani
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin
Toulon vs Toulouse
Stade Mayol, Toulon
Toulon will be happy with their start and a home game against Toulouse offers them an ideal opportunity to build some momentum.
Ugo Mola’s men were much improved against Pau and still remain unbeaten, but the Stade Mayol outfit appear much stronger this season.
A narrow defeat versus Clermont Auvergne, in a match which could have gone either way, hinted that Fabien Galthie is the man to lead this star-studded squad forward and Sunday will provide another indication as to how they are progressing.
Last year’s result: Toulon won 33-23
Kick-off: 16:50 local (14:50 GMT)
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz
Assistant referees: Thomas Charabas, Bruno Gabaldon
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure