The 2018/19 French Top 14 season gets underway later this month. Darry Worthington takes a look at the outright betting below.
Another riveting French Top 14 season is in store for rugby fans, with France’s best 14 rugby clubs set to go at it hammer-and-tong from August 2018 up until May 2019 in a bid to claim the coveted Bouclier de Brennus Cup.
Last year saw underdogs Castres lift the cup, with the plucky outfit beating a much-fancied Montpellier in the Grand Final. Will we see another un-fancied side taste glory this season or will one of the big guns reign supreme?
To Win Outright
Montpellier 5/2
Toulon 3/1
Racing Metro 4/1
Clermont 5/1
Toulouse 8/1
La Rochelle 10/1
Stade Francais 20/1
Castres 25/1
Lyon 33/1
Contenders
This season is set to be a rather interesting one with the French Rugby Union and clubs set for a showdown due to national commitments. The upcoming World Cup could spark mass arguments between the clubs and French Union with the latter rather keen to give a few star French internationals some form of rest period. This is France though, and the clubs dictate rather than the union, so most teams are likely to field their best possible match-day 23’s for most of the season.
Taking a look at the early betting, last year’s runners-up Montpellier top the charts and are currently trading at 5/2. They have a well-balanced squad but could lose a few of their South African players with new Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus keen to bring Bismark du Plessis back into the Springbok fold. Speaking of Springboks in the wilderness, there’s talk of the retired Johan Goosen returning to rugby via Montpellier. He would be a massive coup for Vern Cotter’s due to his versatility.
Toulon are currently the bookies second favourite to claim the title, with the mega-rich club currently trading at 3/1 to lift the Bouclier de Brennus Cup come next May. They don’t seem the smartest of bets, however, as they have lost key players Duane Vermeulen and Chris Ashton who are set to return to their native countries.
Next up on the betting board is Racing Metro. The Parisians had a decent enough time of it domestically last season, although they can ill-afford a similarly slow start this time around. They do possess a talented but ageing squad.
Last year’s underachievers, Clermont Auvergne, are fourth favourites with the bookies, which, in my opinion, is thoroughly deserved. The 2016/17 Champions struggled domestically last season, failing to make the play-offs. Like Racing, their squad is an ageing one.
Dark Horse
Reigning Champions Castres are currently trading at a crazy 25/1 to defend their title. They really did have the odds stacked against them last year, finishing the regular season in sixth place and having to go through the ‘Barrage’ (Play-offs) phase in order to qualify for the semi-finals.
They’ve made some smart signings during the off-season bringing in former Sharks man Scott Spedding and French international Yann David.
Verdict: Montpellier 5/2
Vern Cotter’s side really did make a meal of it last year. They are the most settled team on paper, however, and they’ll be keen to make atone for their calamitous showing in the final.
While my main bet will be on Montpellier, I will also be having a small strike on Castres to retain their title as 25/1 is just too big a price to pass up on.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
