Dan Carter starts for Racing 92 against Castres on Saturday in an intriguing encounter between two form sides.
Toulon’s match at home to Bordeaux-Bègles will also be interesting while Sunday sees Clermont Auvergne looking to kick-start their domestic campaign when they face league leaders Montpellier.
Saturday
Toulon vs Bordeaux-Bègles
Toulouse vs Oyonnax
La Rochelle vs Brive
Lyon vs Agen
Castres vs Racing 92
Sunday
Stade Francais vs Pau
Clermont Auvergne vs Montpellier
Toulon vs Bordeaux-Bègles
Stade Mayol
It has certainly not been plain sailing for Fabien Galthie’s men this season having struggled for consistency both domestically and in Europe.
They have managed to scrape through in the Champions Cup and put themselves in a promising position in the Top 14, but they have failed to find their rhythm all too often in 2017/18.
Bordeaux will be another tough test for the hosts but, having seen Jacques Brunel depart, UBB are still adjusting to life with Rory Teague at the helm.
Toulon, despite their woes away from the Stade Mayol, are strong at home and will expect to overcome Teague’s team.
Last year’s result: Toulon won 37-10
Kick-off: 14:45 local (13:45 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Assistant referees: Cyril Lafon, Philippe Milani
TMO: Eric Gonthier
Toulouse vs Oyonnax
Stade Ernest-Wallon
Les Rouge et Noir, much like Toulon, have struggled for performances over recent weeks, but they have an opportunity to put that right against Oyonnax.
The barren spell has continued for the promoted outfit, with them not tasting success in the league since September, and Ugo Mola will hope his team benefits from their opponents' lack of confidence.
With Lyon, Bordeaux and Pau not far behind in the race for the top-six, Toulouse ideally need a bonus-point triumph to boost their ailing form.
Last year’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Sebastien Minery
Assistant referees: Julien Castaignede, Jean-Claude Labarbe
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin
La Rochelle vs Brive
Stade Marcel-Deflandre
La Rochelle are another difficult team to read at the moment having only just managed a Champions Cup quarter-final place, despite dominating in their opening three pool games.
Although they reside in second position, Patrice Collazo’s men disappointed in their previous domestic outing after drawing with basement-dwellers Oyonnax.
The hosts will also face a team who have found their confidence following an awful start to the campaign. It is unlikely to be enough, however, and Nicolas Godignon’s men should come undone at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, irrespective of their opponents’ inconsistency.
Last year’s result: La Rochelle won 36-17
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Ludovic Cayre
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset, Frederic Chazal
TMO: Eric Gauzins
Lyon vs Agen
Matmut Stadium de Gerland
It has been difficult to watch Lyon over recent weeks and their boss will no doubt be frustrated after seeing an excellent start dissipate.
Pierre Mignoni’s team were the form side in France in the opening two months, but five successive defeats have seen them drop off the pace.
Although they ended that run with a victory over Pau, defeat to Bordeaux has once again put them on the back foot.
A game against struggling Agen does offer them a chance to re-find their confidence, but Philippe Sella’s men will be no pushovers if their previous triumph – a dominant 30-3 victory over Castres – is anything to go by.
Last year’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Adrien Descottes
Assistant referees: Tual Trainini, Jean-Luc Rebollal
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
Castres vs Racing 92
Stade Pierre-Fabre
Quite comfortably the game of the round. While Castres will have been disappointed with how their Champions Cup ambitions ended, they are in an excellent position in the Top 14.
A surprise heavy loss to Agen last time out did curtail their domestic progress, but the seven victories that proceeded the defeat to the promoted side displayed their quality.
Saturday evening’s visitors have also found form and, unlike Christophe Urios’ men, managed to reach the knockout stages of Europe’s top-tier competition.
It is sure to be a titanic clash and is difficult to call, but the home side are usually favourites going into these tight games.
Last year’s result: Castres won 31-23
Kick-off: 20:45 local (19:45 GMT)
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz
Assistant referees: Mathieu Noirot, Akim Hadj-Bachir
TMO: Maxime Chalon
Stade Francais vs Pau
Stade Jean-Bouin
What to do about Stade? The Parisians have hovered pretty comfortably above the relegation play-off position all season, but the improvement in Brive and Agen has seen them drift precariously close to the other strugglers.
A win here, particularly with their bottom half rivals facing difficult encounters, would ease concerns, but Sunday’s opponents will be out for revenge.
Stade inflicted a rare home defeat on Pau earlier in the campaign and it has forced them to play catch up.
Simon Mannix’s charges have been competitive throughout 2017/18 without really becoming noteworthy title challengers, but a victory at the weekend would be a huge boost.
Last year’s result: Stade won 51-16
Kick-off: 12:30 local (11:30 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere
Assistant referees: Jonathan Dufort, Patrick Pechambert
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
Clermont Auvergne vs Montpellier
Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin
It is remarkable to think that 16 points separates these two sides going into this clash. While leaders Montpelier were likely to challenge, Clermont – the defending champions – also had expectations of putting up a staunch defence of their title.
However, it has not really happened for Franck Azema’s men this season and eight defeats out of 15 have demonstrated their issues.
Injuries have played a part, with Wesley Fofana’s and Damian Penaud’s absence reducing their attacking threat, but it runs deeper than that.
Although it would not be a surprise to see Clermont find their form on Sunday, particularly with Montpellier producing inconsistent away performances, a defeat would be catastrophic.
Last year’s result: Montpellier won 28-19
Kick-off: 16:50 local (15:50 GMT)
Referee: Jerome Garces
Assistant referees: Cedric Marchat, Arnaud Blondel
TMO: Patrick Dellac
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