It's the Paris derby this weekend as Racing 92 and Stade Francais go head-to-head in a match which has consequences at both ends of the table.
On Saturday afternoon, La Rochelle against Lyon is a crucial match in the race for the top-six, while title contenders Toulouse and Montpellier go head-to-head on Sunday.
Saturday
Racing 92 vs Stade Francais
Agen vs Bordeaux-Bègles
La Rochelle vs Lyon
Oyonnax vs Toulon
Clermont Auvergne vs Pau
Sunday
Castres vs Brive
Toulouse vs Montpellier
Racing 92 vs Stade Francais
U Arena
When these sides last went into battle, Stade Francais came out on top at the Stade Jean-Bouin but how fortunes have changed since then for the two Parisian outfits.
That defeat only served to inspire Racing, with the U Arena-based team currently in the race for an automatic semi-final place, while this weekend’s visitors are at the wrong end of the table.
Stade’s victory over Castres has eased their concerns slightly, particularly with rivals Brive on such poor form, but it seems that their worries are going to continue until the final round.
On paper, it should be a comfortable triumph for the hosts but, of course, derby matches can produce strange results.
Last year’s result: Racing won 29-22
Kick-off: 14:45 local (13:45 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Assistant referees: Cedric Marchat, Eric Soulan
TMO: Patrick Dellac
Agen vs Bordeaux-Bègles
Stade Armandie
Agen’s run of two wins came to an abrupt halt at Toulon last weekend but that was no surprise and this encounter against Bordeaux would have always been their focus.
Despite not being out of trouble, Philippe Sella’s men have given themselves an excellent chance of avoiding the bottom two.
On Saturday, they take on a UBB outfit that have faltered since the departure of Jacques Brunel. Rory Teague took over the head coach’s role but results have not been forthcoming for a side that had hopes of a top-six place before the New Year.
Those thoughts have gone and been replaced by concerns over their Top 14 future, but realistically they should not be dragged into relegation trouble. With Bordeaux on a poor run, it does, however, provide Agen with an outstanding opportunity to pull further clear of danger.
Last year’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 20:30 local (19:30 GMT)
Referee: Cyril Lafon
Assistant referees: Jonathan Gasnier, Bruno Gabaldon
TMO: Denis Grenouillet
La Rochelle vs Lyon
Stade Marcel-Deflandre
From appearing top-six certainties, four successive defeats have suddenly put La Rochelle under pressure going into this contest against Pierre Mignoni’s men.
They reside in eighth place, three points off this weekend’s opponents who sit in the final play-off position. It therefore sets up an intriguing clash between two clubs that have endured contrasting fortunes over the past few matches.
Mignoni’s team go into the game in fine form having won four of their past five encounters, but only one of those have come away from the Matmut Stadium de Gerland and Patrice Collazo’s side are still formidable at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
Last year’s result: La Rochelle won 43-18
Kick-off: 20:30 local (19:30 GMT)
Referee: Thomas Charabas
Assistant referees: Mathieu Delpy, Jean-Luc Rebollal
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin
Oyonnax vs Toulon
Stade Charles-Mathon
Four weeks ago, Oyonnax’s brief sojourn back in the Top 14 appeared finished when they were defeated 43-30 by leaders Montpellier, but Adrien Buononato’s side have been revitalised.
Three successive victories, including two on their travels, have brought them to within one point of 13th placed Brive. Title contenders Toulon are their next opponents and the visitors may be concerned heading to the Stade Charles-Mathon this weekend.
Even though Fabien Galthie’s men have secured four wins in the past five matches, they are rather inconsistent on their travels and succumbed to Lyon in their last game away from the Stade Mayol.
It will still be a big ask for Oyonnax and their three recent wins have come against teams that are struggling, but confidence, as well as playing at home, are big factors in this division.
Last year’s result: Did not play
Kick-off: 20:30 local (19:30 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite
Assistant referees: Thierry Mallet, Sebastien Hebert
TMO: Laurent Sclafer
Clermont Auvergne vs Pau
Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin
Following successive victories, this is another chance for Clermont to go further clear of the bottom two, having drifted towards danger since Christmas.
After defeating La Rochelle at the Marcel Michelin to end a run of six consecutive losses, Les Jaunards then snatched a crucial 11-9 triumph over fellow bottom half outfit Brive, a result which moved them 13 points ahead of Nicolas Godignon’s team.
That should ultimately be the cushion they need to stave off any further thoughts of being dragged into a battle for survival, particularly with Saturday evening’s opponents Pau in such fine form.
Six successive victories have taken Simon Mannix’s charges to within touching distance of Racing 92, who reside in second position, and they will no doubt want revenge for the thrashing they suffered at the hands of Auvergne last season.
Last year’s result: Clermont won 65-13
Kick-off: 20:45 local (19:45 GMT)
Referee: Sebastien Minery
Assistant referees: Flavien Hourquet, Thierry Guilloton
TMO: Eric Gonthier
Castres vs Brive
Stade Pierre-Fabre
Despite Castres’ inconsistency, you can only really see one winner here, with Brive on a horrendous run of form.
It has been a strange season for Nicolas Godignon’s side, who started terribly and then picked up several decent results to move out of relegation trouble.
They have since drifted back into the bottom two after five successive losses and are also under pressure from a significantly improved Oyonnax.
With Christophe Urios’ men looking for a win to improve their play-off credentials, it could be a long afternoon for the visitors.
Last year’s result: Castres won 32-13
Kick-off: 12:30 local (11:30 GMT)
Referee: Laurent Cardona
Assistant referees: Herve Lasausa Lespy Labaylette, Patrick Pechambert
TMO: Eric Gauzins
Toulouse vs Montpellier
Stade Ernest-Wallon
The final game of the weekend sees fourth take on first, with Toulouse looking to close the gap on the league leaders.
Going into the encounter, Vern Cotter’s side have a nine-point cushion on Les Rouge et Noir and, irrespective of this result, look set to garner a semi-final place.
Sunday's encounter should therefore suit Ugo Mola’s team, with the visitors knowing that home victories should be enough for them to claim one of the top two spots. It will still be a great tussle but the hosts may just have the edge going into this contest.
Last year’s result: Toulouse won 20-12
Kick-off: 16:50 local (15:50 GMT)
Referee: Adrien Descottes
Assistant referees: Tual Trainini, Jean-Claude Labarbe
TMO: Maxime Chalon
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