Although two of the top-six go head-to-head on Saturday when Bordeaux-Bègles face Toulon, Sunday is where the best of the action takes place.
La Rochelle and Racing 92 will look to bounce back from narrow defeats last weekend while Toulouse will hope to continue Clermont Auvergne’s frustrating start to the season.
Saturday
Stade Français vs Montpellier
Bordeaux-Bègles vs Toulon
Brive vs Castres
Oyonnax vs Pau
Agen vs Lyon
Sunday
La Rochelle vs Racing 92
Toulouse vs Clermont Auvergne
Stade Français vs Montpellier
Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Stade have not had the easiest starts to the season but their surprise triumph over Pau certainly reduced the pressure on boss Greg Cooper.
It does not get any easier for Cooper and his charges, however, with league leaders Montpellier visiting in Saturday’s early encounter.
Following a disappointing loss to Bordeaux in round five, Vern Cotter’s men hit back by thrashing basement-dwellers Brive 54-10.
Although the Parisians will be far more assured after just their second victory of the campaign, the play-off contenders will fancy their chances of continuing their impressive run.
Last year’s result: Stade Français won 21-17
Kick-off: 14:45 local (12:45 GMT)
Referee: Sebastien Minery
Assistant referees: Herve Lasausa Lespy Labaylette, Jean-Claude Labarbe
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
Bordeaux-Bègles vs Toulon
Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux
UBB are beginning to show themselves as realistic top-six challengers and, after putting away Oyonnax the previous week, they now have three-time European champions Toulon in their sights.
Both sides have a four-two win-loss record going into this encounter but, having already defeated Clermont Auvergne in Bordeaux, Jacques Brunel’s men will be confident of overcoming the other finalist from the 2016/17 season.
Although this match will take place at the club’s ‘other’ home – the Matmut Atlantique – Fabien Galthie’s team may struggle to take advantage.
Last year’s result: Toulon won 26-13
Kick-off: 16:45 local (14:45 GMT)
Referee: Pierre Brousset
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos, Jean-Luc Rebollal
TMO: Eric Gonthier
Brive vs Castres
Stade Amedee-Domenech, Brive
When will the pain end for Brive? Six games and six defeats have left the reshuffled coaching staff with plenty to do during the remainder of the campaign.
Last weekend’s loss at Montpellier, while not entirely surprising, was another atrocious performance on the road after shipping 60 points to Clermont Auvergne in round four.
They improved against Toulouse following that debacle at the Marcel Michelin but this game, versus a Castres side that have struggled away from the Stade Pierre-Antoine, is arguably a must-win.
If not, the Stade Amedee-Domenech outfit threaten to be cut adrift from the rest of the league.
Last year’s result: Brive won 33-27
Kick-off: 18:45 local (16:45 GMT)
Referee: Adrien Descottes
Assistant referees: Regis Guatelli, Bruno Gabaldon
TMO: Cedric Marchat
Oyonnax vs Pau
Stade Charles-Mathon, Oyonnax
Pau have been the definition of inconsistent so far this season but a trip to struggling Oyonnax offers them an opportunity to re-find their momentum.
Following three successive wins, Simon Mannix’s men somehow conspired to lose at home to a Stade Francais side who were deep in the mire.
Although away victories are generally seen as rare commodities in the Top 14, Mannix’s team won their last match on the road while Oyonnax were thrashed 39-9 by Bordeaux at the Stade Charles-Mathon.
Last year’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 18:45 local (16:45 GMT)
Referee: Tual Trainini
Assistant referees: Thomas Chereque, Frederic Chazal
TMO: Mourad Zitouni
Agen vs Lyon
Stade Armandie, Agen
Sides that have had successive games away from home have usually struggled in the second of those matches, but Lyon will be confident of altering that trend.
Five victories in six, which included an impressive 20-17 triumph over Racing 92 last weekend, show a team in form and they are playing some excellent rugby.
However, Agen have displayed plenty of battling qualities this season, despite securing just one victory since promotion, and the visitors will need to produce a fine performance to come away with a positive result.
Last year’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 20:45 local (18:45 GMT)
Referee: Laurent Cardona
Assistant referees: Vincent Blasco-Baque, Eric Soulan
TMO: Maxime Chalon
La Rochelle vs Racing 92
Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle
Patrice Collazo’s men may have suffered a setback on their last outing, losing 26-20 to Toulon, but the head coach will expect his team to put that behind them against Racing 92.
The Parisians have struggled for performances this season, despite winning three of their matches, and had yet another off-field controversy after Ben Tameifuna was arrested for allegedly fighting with team-mate Viliamu Afatia.
It is certainly not ideal preparations and La Rochelle, who have once again impressed at home in 2017/18, will look to take advantage.
Last year’s result: La Rochelle and Racing drew 23-23
Kick-off: 16:50 local (14:50 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere
Assistant referees: Cyril Lafon, Patrick Pechambert
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin
Toulouse vs Clermont Auvergne
Stade Ernest-Wallon, Toulouse
After all the failures and all the heartache, perhaps a comedown was inevitable for Clermont Auvergne following their title triumph in 2016/17.
Franck Azema’s men have been poor this season and they succumbed to Castres last Sunday – a team that reside in the bottom half of the table – following another frustrating evening for Les Jaunards.
Clermont’s opponents will therefore scent blood after enjoying an excellent start to the campaign. They go into the weekend in third place with just one loss in six matches and a fourth home encounter of the year offers them an opportunity to further cement their position in the play-offs.
Last year’s result: Toulouse won 26-20
Kick-off: 21:00 local (19:00 GMT)
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz
Assistant referees: Thomas Charabas, Laurent Perrin
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
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