After a two-week break for European action, the French Top 14 makes its return this weekend with six Round 21 fixtures, with the pick of the bunch seeing La Rochelle tackle Lyon on Saturday. We preview this standout fixture as well as the other five fixtures being played, below.
Pau v Bayonne
Friday 16 April
Stade du Hameau
21:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Pau 9/20
Draw 20/1
Bayonne 19/10
We kick things off at the Stade du Hameau where 13th place Pau will be looking to claw closer to safety by getting a win over 12th placed Bayonne, who also find themselves running the risk of dropping to the French second tier.
The hosts have endured a rather tumultuous run of it this campaign and have only managed to register six wins and a draw from the 20 fixtures they have played. Their form prior to the break was extremely poor as they lost four games on the trot with their most recent defeat being a 38-33 loss to Castres.
Bayonne have a slightly better time of it this term winning nine of their 20 fixtures. They were also in decent touch prior to the European break beating Agen and then following that up with an upset win over Racing 92.
Verdict: Bayonne
I expect another upset here. While the break will have disrupted them somewhat, I still think Bayonne are in better touch than their opponents. Small stakes on the away team is my play here.
Castres v Toulouse
Saturday 17 April
Stade Pierre-Fabre
14:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Castres 72/100
Draw 20/1
Toulouse 12/10
Next up we have eighth-placed Castres taking on ladder-leaders Toulouse. The hosts are currently chasing a barrage/play-off place, while Toulouse are looking to pull further clear of second-placed La Rochelle who they currently lead by three points.
Castres have won ten and drawn one of the 20 Top 14 fixtures they have played while the visitors have won 14 and drawn one of their 20.
Toulouse were involved in the Champions Cup action over the past fortnight and impressed beating Munster 33-40 and domestic rivals Clermont 12-21.
Castres, on the other hand, had the fortnight off but head into this one in solid form having won four of their last five Top 14 games, with their latest victory being a 38-33 win over Castres.
Verdict: Toulouse 12/10
I reckon Toulouse will field a slightly weakened side here but they'll still have enough about them to get the win.
Clermont v Brive
Saturday 17 April
Stade Marcel Michellin
17:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Clermont 1/9
Draw 22/1
Brive 56/10
We head to Clemront for our next game which will see the hosts welcome Brive. Clermont currently sit fourth on the ladder and are 15 points clear of Brive, who lie tenth.
While Brive enjoyed a two-week break due to the European Challenge and Champions Cup group phases being played, Cerlmont were in action beating English club Wasps 25-27 before going down by nine points to Toulouse in the quarter-finals.
Brive were a bit hit and miss prior to the break losing two and winning two of their Top 14 fixtures. They did manage a big win in their final game as they hammered cellar-dwellers Agen 57-3.
Verdict: Clermont
They'll be looking you bounce back from a disappointing Champions Cup exit and I reckon they'll do just that against a hit-and-miss Brive outfit.
La Rochelle v Lyon
Saturday 17 April
Stade Marcel Delfrandre
17:45
To Win (80 Mins)
La Rochelle 29/100
Draw 22/1
Lyon 28/10
The game of the weekend is up next with second-placed La Rochelle welcoming sixth-place Lyon to the Stade Marcel Delfrandre.
Both of these teams were involved in the Champions Cup play-offs with the visitors bombing out courtesy of a 47-25 defeat to the Exeter Chiefs in the Round of 16, while La Rochelle advanced to the semi-finals after wins over Gloucester 16-27 and the Sale Sharks 45-21.
The two sides have had some ding-dong battles in recent years with Lyon winning the last three fixtures between the sides and La Rochelle winning the previous two. This season's meeting saw Lyon run out 22-18 victors at the Stade Mamut.
Verdict: La Rochelle 28/10
I reckon we're in for a close run this here which is why any plus handicap over four points is worth backing, although I do this the hosts will take the spoils here.
Agen v Bordeaux
Saturday 17 April
Armandie Stadium
17:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Agen
Draw
Bordeaux
The penultimate game of the weekend will see winless Agen take on fifth-placed Bordeaux. The hosts have endured a shocking season and have only managed to garner two log points. Their points differential is almost comical as they sit on -539.
Verdict: Bordeaux (-)
I've kept this really short as I don't need to waste you're time as there is only one possible result here, and that is a huge win for the visitors. I'd feel comfortable backing any minus handicap under 40.
Racing Metro 92 v Stade Francais
Saturday 17 April
Paris La Defense Arena
21:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Racing 4/10
Draw 20/1
Stade 43/20
We close out the round with a clash between third-placed Racing Metro and ninth-placed Bordeaux. Both teams will be desperate for the points here as Racing are chasing an automatic semi-final spot while Stade are looking to get into the barrage/play-off places.
Racing saw their Champions Cup hopes come to an end last weekend as after beating 56-3 they went down 24-21 to Bordeaux in the quarter-finals. Stade have had the past fortnight off, with the break coming at the most ideal of times as they will have been able to regroup from their last five domestic fixtures that saw them lose four of their last five games.
Verdict: Racing
I'm expecting a bit of a fight from Stade but I cannot see them getting one over what will be a motivated Racing outfit.