There are plenty of interesting games in round 19 of the Top 14 with Lyon v Toulon and Castres v Pau the standouts on Saturday.
Oyonnax and Stade Francais then go head-to-head in a huge clash at the bottom of the table before Clermont look to arrest their slide at home to La Rochelle.
Saturday
Lyon vs Toulon
Agen vs Montpellier
Castres vs Pau
Racing 92 vs Brive
Bordeaux-Bègles vs Toulouse
Sunday
Oyonnax vs Stade Francais
Clermont Auvergne vs La Rochelle
Lyon vs Toulon
Matmut Stadium de Gerland
It is quite remarkable what one result can potentially do to your season. Toulon have struggled throughout this campaign away from home but their outstanding success at La Rochelle has put them right in title contention.
They now reside just two points behind Racing 92 in second and another victory over Lyon would set them well on their way.
That is easier said than done, however, with Pierre Mignoni’s men also chasing a play-off place and, despite being down in eighth place, they are only a bonus-point win behind Saturday’s opponents.
Their loss to Castres was a setback last weekend but being at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland will significantly aid Lyon.
Last season’s result: Lyon won 27-13
Kick-off: 14:45 local (13:45 GMT)
Referee: Jerome Garces
Assistant referees: Julien Castaignede, Akim Hadj-Bachir
TMO: Mourad Zitouni
Agen vs Montpellier
Stade Armandie
On paper, this appears an easy one to call. First against 12th, a title challenger against a team battling for survival and two sides who have generally had contrasting fortunes over recent weeks.
Before Agen faced Stade Francais, Philippe Sella’s men had produced abysmal performances in successive games against Lyon and Toulouse, conceding 120 points in the process.
They went into the encounter with the Parisians low on confidence but they somehow turned it around to lift themselves out of the bottom two and to within one point of Stade.
It therefore puts a completely different complexion on Saturday evening’s game. Although Vern Cotter’s side are favourites, the hosts will be buoyed by their display in round 18.
Last season’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Laurent Cardona
Assistant referees: Adrien Descottes, Jacques De Lemos
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
Castres vs Pau
Stade Pierre-Fabre
Two in-form sides, a couple of play-off contenders, this contest should be one of the games of the round.
Castres and Pau may not have the heritage of Toulouse or Toulon, or the financial backing of Montpellier and Racing 92, but they are equally ambitious.
Coached excellently by Christophe Urios and Simon Mannix respectively, both teams have found their form and appear genuine title challengers.
While the visitors currently reside outside of the top-six, that is down to an inconsistent first half of the campaign and a fifth victory in a row would put them right in the mix.
Last season’s result: Castres won 28-11
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Assistant referees: Cyril Lafon, Frederic Chazal
TMO: Eric Gauzins
Racing 92 vs Brive
U Arena
Unlike their Parisian rivals Stade Francais, Racing 92 are enjoying an excellent season and go into this weekend in second position, despite losing their previous match.
That defeat to in-form Pau would have been a disappointment to coaches Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers, but they have an opportunity to get back on track.
Brive are on a poor run and find themselves back in the bottom two after Agen’s victory over Stade.
Nicolas Godignon’s men have struggled to turn narrow losses into victories and it is difficult to see them overturning Racing at the U Arena.
Last season’s result: Racing won 33-25
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Dufort
Assistant referees: Sebastien Minery, Thierry Guilloton
TMO: Patrick Dellac
Bordeaux-Bègles vs Toulouse
Matmut Atlantique
This will be an intriguing clash, even though Bordeaux are not in the greatest form having succumbed in the previous three matches.
They do, however, appear to be improving and were unfortunate to go down to leaders Montpellier in round 18.
Toulouse, meanwhile, are in fine form and have secured successive victories over Oyonnax, Agen and Brive, but UBB should be an entirely different proposition.
Having faced the bottom three both home and away, the fixture list now gets much harder for Les Rouge et Noir, starting with Saturday’s opponents.
Last season’s result: Bordeaux won 20-11
Kick-off: 20:45 local (19:45 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite
Assistant referees: Vivien Praderie, Sebastien Hebert
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
Oyonnax vs Stade Francais
Stade Charles-Mathon
It is fair to say few saw last weekend’s results coming, with Oyonnax overcoming Clermont Auvergne and Stade Francais succumbing to Agen.
As a result, it has set up an interesting clash on Sunday with the Parisians now well and truly in the relegation fight.
Adrien Buononato’s men still have plenty to do, and have only won twice this season, but a victory over Stade would make things very interesting indeed.
Don’t bet against it either with the visitors in woeful form and the home side finding some much needed confidence after their triumph over Clermont.
Last season’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 12:30 local (11:30 GMT)
Referee: Tual Trainini
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset, Bruno Gabaldon
TMO: Eric Gonthier
Clermont Auvergne vs La Rochelle
Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin
Given the fluctuating nature of the Top 14, it would not be a surprise to see Clermont Auvergne defeat La Rochelle, but form suggests otherwise.
It is now six league defeats in a row following their shambolic performance in going down to basement-dwellers Oyonnax last weekend.
Title challengers La Rochelle are their next opponents and arguably one of the worst teams to face when in the middle of a crisis.
Although Patrice Collazo’s side have been slightly up and down recently, their free-flowing brand of rugby did for Clermont earlier on in the season and they will no doubt relish the opportunity to repeat the feat on Sunday.
Last season’s result: Clermont won 30-26
Kick-off: 16:50 local (15:50 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere
Assistant referees: Cedric Marchat, Patrick Pechambert
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin
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