Top 14: Round 20 Preview

The Top 14 will welcome back their France internationals for the latest round of action - although it is unlikely many will be handed much game time.

Les Bleus coach Marc Lievremont has asked for his RBS Six Nations players to used sparingly - while Toulon and Stade Francais will be without their England contingent.

Clermont and Toulon get the action underway on Friday night at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin.

Toulon have the unenviable task of needing to become the first side to beat Clermont at home this season if they are to keep alive their play-off hopes.

Toulon's cause will not be helped by the absence of the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Sebastien Bruno, Gavin Henson and Juan Martin Fernandez-Lobbe - although skipper Joe van Niekerk and playmaker Felipe Contepomi are available.

Clermont will be buoyed by the arrival of medical joker George Pisi, while France stars Morgan Parra, Julien Pierre, Julien Bonnaire and Thomas Domingo all return.

Second-placed Racing Metro can strengthen their own play-off ambitions with an away win over Bourgoin.

Former Bourgoin players Lionel Nallet and Sébastien Chabal return to the Alps in light blue and white stripes to face a team made up mostly of youngsters.

Good news for Bourgoin is that former French international prop Olivier Milloud is fit to start and will bring some valuable experience to the hosts' starting XV.

The pressure is on for La Rochelle when they travel to Biarritz after they slipped back into the relegation places.

Biarritz have their own issues as they are currently adrift in eighth, although the return of their internationals will help their challenge.

Quagmire

Brive have the chance to pull away from the relegation quagmire when they entertain Castres.

Brive were buoyed by the win over Stade Francais, while they will be strengthened by the return of Alexis Palisson.

Castres have not won away at Brive in 18 years, with their away form this season hardly catching the eye.

Stade Francais and Perpignan know only a win will do when the two heavyweights clash in Paris.

Stade will have to make do without England duo Tom Palmer and James Haskell but fly-half Lionel Beauxis will be able to play after having his suspension for a dangerous tackle reduced from to ten days on appeal.

Perpignan are missing back-row Jean-Pierre Perez (shoulder) and hooker Marius Tincu (knee).

Bayonne will look to put their off-field problems behind them when they entertain Toulouse in San Sebastien.

However without a win against the Heineken Cup champions in 10 attempts, it will not be easy for Bayonne.

France wing Yoann Huget should start for Bayonne while the return of Clément Baïocco will bolster the 'home' front row.

Toulouse coach Guy Novès is likely to give most of his France stars a rest, although David Skrela is set to return from injury.

Montpellier will look to kick-start their challenge when they face struggling Agen.

Montpellier have slipped to fourth in the standings but they have yet to lose at home this season.

But Agen will arrive on the Mediterranean coast with a spring in their step. A shock win over Toulon has put them four points clear of the relegation zone.

Montpellier and France fly-half François Trinh-Duc probably won't play as he is still recovering from knock he took to his knee against England.