Darry Worthington takes a look at which sides are likely to be in the mix for the 2019/20 French Top 14 title.
It’s incredible to think that there’s a month left until the French Top 14 season kicks off with last year’s edition ending in mid-June.
This year’s tournament will be extremely interesting considering many international players will be playing in the World Cup during the early salvos of the season. With the international stars away we could well be in for a number of upsets during the opening few rounds, and the door will be well and truly open for one of the less fancied sides to make a fast start to the season and give themselves a shot at the ‘Barrage’ play-offs
To Win Outright
Toulouse 5/2
Clermont 5/2
Racing Metro 6/1
Montpellier 6/1
Toulon 8/1
Lyon 12/1
La Rochelle 14/1
Castres 16/1
Racing Metro 6/1
Montpellier 6/1
Toulon 8/1
La Rochelle 14/1
Castres 16/1
Contenders
Toulouse
2018/19 Finish: Champions
The reigning champions will face a tough start to their title defence as they will be without a number of their star men who will be away with their national sides.
They have tried to mitigate this somewhat with their off-season business bringing a few players into the fold including Springbok Sevens star Werner Kok. The Western Province representative is on a short-term loan deal and it will be interesting to see if he can make an impact for Toulouse having seemingly failed to make the grade in the South African domestic scene.
Lyon
2018/19 Finish: Semi-Finalists
The Wolves enjoyed yet another great Top 14 campaign last season making the semi-finals where they were beaten 33-13 by runners-up Clermont.
Lyon have punched above their weight for the past three years and continue to improve as the seasons go by. They’re likely to be a real threat this term having strengthened their squad with some shrewd acquisitions including young French prop Demba Bamba and Fijian flyer Joshua Tuisova.
While the aforementioned duo will likely be representing their respective countries at the World Cup, you can expect them to make a big impact when they return from international duty.
Stade Francais
2018/19 Finish: EighthHeynecke Meyer’s charges had a campaign to forget last season finishing eighth on the overall standings while only winning two of their European Rugby Challenge fixtures on the way to bombing out of the competition during the pool phase.
Stade should be a much more potent threat this term with the club doing some smart off-season recruitment bringing in former Kings scrumhalf James Hall as well as Springboks Lionel Mapoe and Ruan Combrinck.
La Rochelle
2018/19 Finish: Semi-Finalists
La Rochelle will have a real chance to get their campaign off to a flyer as they won’t lose too many players to international duty with the majority of their big names having retired from Test match rugby.
Like Stade, La Rochelle have a few smart signings bringing in veteran pivot Brock James as well as Argentine hooker Facundo Bosch. They have few talented young guns coming through the ranks as well.
Racing Metro 92
2018/19 Finish: Play-Offs
Arguably the most hampered side by the World Cup, Racing are going to have to dig deep if they are to have a good start to the campaign.
Racing not only have to contend with a plethora of players being away for the start of the season but also the loss of international Joe Rokocoko and Pat Lambie to retirement.
Their transfer business has been pretty smart with the Paris-based club bringing in a number of talented Frenchmen including veteran fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc. Whether this will be enough to set them on the right track for this campaign is up for debate, however.
Montpellier
2018/19 Finish: Play-Offs
Vern Cotter’s reign at Montpellier hasn’t delivered as many fans were expecting with the former Scottish mentor leading his side to a play-off defeat.
The 2019/20 season could get even worse for Montpellier as they have lost a handful of quality players with Chris Kurindrani, Alexandre Dumoulin and Julien Tomas all leaving the club.
And while the signing of Handre Pollard is a smart one, the Springbok fly-half has a history on injuries and will only link up with the squad come the close of the World Cup.
Toulon
2018/19 Finish: Ninth
The 2018/19 season saw Toulon reach a new low with the mega-rich club finishing ninth on the Top 14 ladder. There’s been yet another mass clear out at the club this season with Malakai Feikitoa, JP Pietersen, Matheui Basteraud and Francois Trinh Duc and a number of other players leaving the club for pastures new.
Toulon have dipped into the transfer market to make up for the loss of these players bringing in the likes of Sergio Parisse, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Bryce Heem and Eben Ethzebeth. Whether these men can turn around the fortunes of the struggling French giants is a question that will be answered as the season progresses.
Dark Horse
Pau
2018/19 Finish: 11th
You simply cannot ignore a side that has just signed All Blacks, Ben Smith and Sam Whitelock.
Pau had a season to forget last year finishing in 11th place. They played some good rugby at times but were far too inconsistent winning only nine of their 26 matches. They will be expecting a much better return this time around, and with a solid squad that should be a real threat.
Verdict: Lyon 12/1
I really fancy the Wolves to do something this year. They have maintained the core of their squad and won’t lose too many players to World Cup duty. Toulon and Montpellier should be more of a force this year, while Racing and Toulouse will be there and thereabouts.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
