Top 14, Round 13 preview
The Top 14 is back in full swing with a couple of major clashes including derbies in Paris and the South West.
Last Updated: 20/11/09 2:58pm
Despite a Test weekend and threats of a strike, the Top 14 is back in full swing with a couple of major clashes including derbies in Paris and the South West while Biarritz visit Clermont.
On the same weekend as Samoa's clash with the XV de France in St. Denis, the French domestic championship hits the half-way mark amidst all kinds of political unhappiness.
Round Thirteen very nearly didn't happen as a group of big-budget clubs lobbied for a strike, but in the end sanity prevailed as a meeting of club presidents couldn't reach a consensus to cut the Top 14's nose off to spite it's face.
Back to this weekend's action, which kicks off on Friday with a top versus bottom clash in Abli where Perpignan will be aiming for a full house of points.
The capital is set for plenty of exciting rugby on Saturday with the return of the much-anticipated Paris derby between Racing Métro and Stade Français set to warm fans up for the Test later that evening.
Of course with a most national teams playing this weekend, plenty of stars with be missing from the top clubs like Toulouse and Clermont (who are both missing 11 players) or Stade Français (ten).
It makes for an interesting scenario as Castres visit Toulouse with high hopes of causing an upset. Biarritz travel to Clermont missing seven internationals but could include League star Karmichael Hunt.
Elsewhere, Toulon host Brive while Montpellier take their winning streak on the road to Bourgoin. Bayonne face a tough challenge when they host Montauban.
Brilliant
The defending champions and current leaders Perpignan shouldn't have too much trouble against an Albi side that have won just one game this season.
The Catalans will travel West missing four players on international duty and injured Maxime Mermoz, but will nevertheless start as clear favourites. Flank Jean-Pierre Perez is also a doubtful starter.
Despite a couple of brilliant results this season, Bourgoin are under pressure as they are just four point clear of the relegation zone heading into their home fixture against Montpellier.
Winless in their last three games, the home side need to pick up points against a Montpellier outfit who have not travelled well this term.
But Montpol have won their last three games, including an impressive win over Clermont and will be looking to climb into a comfortable position in mid-table.
The visitors have been boosted by the return to fitness of skipper Fulgence Ouedraogo but will miss the attacking skills of France fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc.
The first half of the season has been a bit of a shocker for Bayonne but it looks as if their off-field issues have been sorted out so perhaps they are ready to turn the corner against Montauban.
Manager Richard Dourthe has been shown the door and coach Thierry Mentières has had two weeks with a near-full strength to get train back on the tracks.
The Basques are missing internationals Craig Gower and Benjamin Fall but their squad is still a very strong one. Rémy Martin will once again lead the charge as Bayonne seek their first win in two months.
Montauban are seven points clear of Bayonne for good reason but are missing a few key players such as injured scrum-half Petre Mitu and wing Vilimoni Delasau. Loose Forward Alejandro Campos is away with the Pumas and South African medical joker Len Olivier is still awaiting his licence.
Paris derby
Despite the absence of five internationals, Philippe Saint-André's Toulon will be confident they can maintain their unbeaten record at home this season as Sonny Bill Williams and Felipe Contepomi are set to make their first starts against Brive.
Williams and Contepomi have both recovered form long-term injuries just in time to bolster the Varois for the second half of the season.
Former Biarritz scrum-half Fabien Cibray is also set to make his first appearance in Toulon colours.
Brive are missing four internationals themselves but will be in a better frame of mind thanks to their much-needed win against Bayonne in Round Twelve. They also welcome back fly-half Andy Goode, who has been dropped from the England team.
It's the clash rugby fans in the capital have been waiting for: Racing Métro host the first Paris derby in over ten years against Stade de Francais.
Unfortunately the Test weekend absences have diluted the spectacle a bit. Stade Français have been decimated by call-ups and injuries to such an extent at centre Mathieu Bastareaud is set to start at number eight!
The Pink Shirts are missing no less than nineteen players in all, which makes for a tough trip to Colombes.
Racing on the other hand will have skipper Lionel Nallet back in their ranks after he was released by the French squad.
IRB Player of the Year nominee Francois Steyn is also set to start but Sebastien Chabal will be on duty with les Bleus up the road at the Stade de France.
Racing have moved up to eighth in the standing thanks to four straight wins - including one over Toulouse.
Catastrophic
This week has been a busy one for club presidents Jacky Lorenzetti and Max Guazzini: When they weren't banding together in calling for a strike, they were swinging handbags in true Parisian style over who-wears-what.
Castres have not beaten Toulouse in five years, whether it be at home or away, but Saturday presents the Tarnais with the perfect opportunity to set the record straight.
Few would have predicted that Castres would be equal on points with their near neighbours at this stage of the season but CO have proven to be the surprise package of the season.
With Toulouse trimmed down by all those international call ups and a couple of injuries, Castres will fancy their chances of finishing the weekend in the top two.
Good news for Toulouse coach Guy Novès however is the return of William Servat and Cédric Heymans from the France camp. Heymans will start with Servat on the bench.
More good news for the Toulousains is the return to training of David Skrela.
Castres are also missing four internationals and prop Luc Ducalcon and scrum-half Sebastien Tillous-Borde are in the infirmerie.
An uneasy evening awaits two Top 14 heavyweights as Clermont Auvergne welcome Biarritz.
Off the back of two draws and a loss, Clermont will be under pressure to produce the goods in front of their homes fans without most of their top players.
Clermont have made a massive contribution to the French team this week and could be without half-backs Brock James and Kevin Senio meaning Ludovic Radosaljevic and Tasesa Lavea are in line to wear nine and ten.
Biarritz's away record this season has left a lot to be desired.
"Apart from at Brive, we've been catastrophic (away from home)," admitted coach Jean-Michel Gonzalez .
The Basques desperately need points if they are to avoid dropping of the pace set by the leaders, but Marcel Michelin is always a tough venue to visit.