The Top 14 season kicks off this weekend and once again Toulouse top the betting boards. The reigning champions will start their quest for a three-peat with a clash against newly promoted Vannes.
There’s some cracking top tier French rugby to start things off and Darry Worthington will run the rule over the new boys versus reigning champions fixture and the six other opening round fixtures, below.
Saturday 7 September
Bayonne 32/100 | Draw 22/1 | Perpignan 26/10
Bayonne and Perpignan are the two sides to kick-off the season and both of them enjoyed decent if not spectacular campaigns last term with Bayonne finishing 12th on the ladder while Perpignan finished tenth.
Both these teams were busy on the recruitment front during the off-season with Bayonne bringing a handful of players including English international Manu Tuilangi, while Perpignan’s stand out signing was vastly experienced lock Kieran Brookes, who made the move from Toulon.
Verdict: Bayonne 32/10
They had a very tidy home record last year and I’m expecting them to start their campaign with a win at the Stade Jean Dauger. My money is on them taking it by between 8-10 points.
Castres 5/10 | Draw 25/1 | Racing 92 7/4
We head to the Stade Pierre Fabre for our next fixtures which sees Castres take on Racing 92. The two sides were actually in contention for the final Barrage berth last season but Racing pipped Castres to it based on points differential. It counted for little, however, as Racing were knocked out by Bordeaux.
The Parisians have had a bit of drama filled off-season with owner Jacky Lorenzetti making some rather damning comments at the expense of Siya Kolisi which has left the Springbok captain eyeing up a return to the Natal Sharks. His departure will be offset somewhat by the acquisition of Owen Farrell, who is Racing’s marquee signing.
Castres have also dipped into the market for players and they’ve done pretty well bringing in English prop Will Collier to sure-up their already solid scrum.
Verdict: Castres 5/10
While Racing do have a stacked side, these early games tend to favour the hosts, which is why I am backing the home win here.
Clermont 23/100| Draw 25/1 | Pau 33/10
Next up we have a Clermont side who will be determined to make up for a poor 2023/24 campaign that saw them finishing in eighth when they take on a Pau outfit that finished a place behind them in ninth.
Both sides were very active in the off-season transfer window with Clermont bringing in Wallaby prop Michael Alaalatoa and Georgian front rower Giorgi Akhaladze, while Pau have bagged fullback Ayeremic Luc and from Toulon and Tom Franklin from the Western Force.
Verdict: Clermont 23/100
Two of the last three games between the sides have been decided by five points or less, so any handicap over seven points and I’m on the Pau plus.
Montpellier 29/100 | Draw 22/1 | Lyon 28/10
Montpellier will be looking for a vastly improved showing this year with the French giants almost falling down to the PROD2 having won their play-off fixture by just two points against Grenoble. They had a dire campaign last season and only managed to register nine wins from their 26 games. Lyon also had a season to forget last time around as they finished 11th on the ladder having only registered 12 victories the entire season.
As is always the case, Montpellier have hit the old bank account hard bringing in 15 players including Stuart Hogg, Madosh Tambwe, Billy Vunipola and Domingo Miotti. Lyon have also been rather active during the off-season with ten players coming in including Argentine international Tomas Lavanini, Kiwi prop Jermaine Ainsley and French centre Theo Millet. The Wolves have lost a real star, however, with prop Demba Bamba moving to Racing.
Verdict: Montpellier 29/100
They’ve brought in a couple of experienced heads which should help their cause a lot this season and I’m backing their new veterans to get them over the line here.
Bordeaux 21/100| Draw 25/1 | Stade 36/10
Over to the Stade Chaban-Delmas for our next fixture which sees last year’s defeaten finalists Bordeaux play host to a Stade outfit that bombed out at the semi-final stage. Both teams were brilliant during the regular season last time out but struggled when the pressure came on in the knock-out phase.
The hosts have made some smart moves during the off-season bringing in South African centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Scottish lock Johnny Gray and Aussie back Lachlan Swinton from the Western Force.
Stade have also whipped the checkbook out and they have made some standout signings with Pierre Huget and Louis Carbonel moving to Paris.
Verdict: Bordeaux
I’m expecting big things from both of these sides this term but I reckon it’ll be last season’s defeaten finalists who open their account with a victory.
Sunday 8 September
La Rochelle 21/100 | Draw 25/1 | Toulon 36/10
Our penultimate game of the season should be an absolute cracker with two powerhouses of French rugby squaring off at the Stade Marcel Delfrandre.
La Rochelle had a rather disappointing 2023/24 season as they lost their semi-final clash with Toulouse, while Toulon, who had a decent return to form after a couple years of sub-par domestic performances, went down 29-34 to La Rochelle in the first set of Barrage fixtures.
Toulon have been rather quiet by their standards on the transfer front bringing in just seven players. They have made some quality signings, however, with English international Kyle Sinckler and recently capped French international Antoine Frisch joining the club.
La Rochelle have been the least active team so far deciding to promote from their youth academy rather than hit the market with Kiwi lock Kane Douglas the only signing of note.
Verdict: La Rochelle 21/100
The Mariners have always been a tough nut to crack at home and I can see them taking this one by between 7 and 12 points.
Vannes 32/10 | Draw 25/1 | Toulouse 14
The opening round comes to a close at the Stade de La Rabine with a trial by fire lying in wait for new boys Vannes with reigning European and Top 14 champions Toulouse coming to town.
The hosts gave a very decent account of themselves in the PRO D2 last season but face a massive step up here. They have however been active on the recruitment front bringing in Mako Vunipola, Francis Saili and Salesi Rayasi, who bring with them a solid amount of experience.
Toulouse, who already have a very formidable squad have shored things up over the summer bringing in Japanese scrum half Naoto Saito and young Frenchman Leo Banos.
Verdict: Toulouse 1/4
I expect a very rude welcome for Vannes. My money is on Toulouse winning this by 15-20 points.
