The 2020/21 Top 14 season will get underway on Friday the 4th of September. Darry Worthington previews all the Round 1 action below.
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There are still six games for rugby fans and punters to sink their teeth into, with the pick of this weekend’s action seeing Clermont take on Toulouse.
Montpellier v Pau
Friday 4 September
20:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Montpellier 1/10
Draw 30/1
Pau 11/2
Montpellier posses a start-studded squad that was strengthened significantly during the off-season with the signings of World Cup winners Handre Pollard and Cobus Reinach.
Pau have lost some key players during the off-season with Ben Smith, Benson Stanley and Colin Slade having all moved on.
Verdict: Montpellier
La Rochelle v Toulon
Saturday 5 September
To Win (80 Mins)
Draw 20/1
Toulon 39/20
Saturday’s first fixture will see La Rochelle tackle Toulon at the Stade Marcel-Delfrandre. Both teams enjoyed decent enough campaigns before last season was called off as they both won nine of their opening 17 games.
Strangely enough, Toulon have been one of the least active clubs during the transfer season with the mega-rich club only signing four players. Most of the signings are rather underwhelming although capturing Isaia Toeava from Clermont could prove to be a rather shrewd move.
Verdict: La Rochelle 4/10
La Rochelle are an extremely strong side on home soil and while I expect this to be a real tussle, I can see the hosts coming out on top here.
Agen v Castres
Saturday 5 September
18:00
Agen 13/20
Draw 20/1
Castres 5/4
Moving on now and the next Saturday fixture will see Agen play host to Castres. Agen will be rather relieved that last season was called off as they were second to last on the log and looked like real relegation fodder having lost 11 of their 17 games. Castres didn’t fare all too well either and we 10th when the season came to a surprise close.
Both teams were pretty active during the transfer window with Agen bringing in 11 players including Fijian Tevita Railevu, while Castres made a whopping 14 signings including a couple Fijian newcomers.
Verdict: Agen 13/20
Again, I’m backing a home win.
Lyon v Racing Metro 92
18:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Draw 20/1
Lyon will be looking to make another fast start to the Top 14 season when they play host to Racing Metro in Saturday’s penultimate fixture.
Lyon were having a great time of it before last season was called off and were holding a lofty position of second on the log after winning 12 of their 17 games. Racing were also doing rather well and were only a position below Lyon on the log.
Verdict: Racing 14/10
Generally, I’d be all over the hosts but, apparently, a few of their players won’t be available as they have contracted the coronavirus. As such, I’ll be having a crack on the Racing win.
Brive v Bayonne
Sunday 6 August
To Win (80 Mins)
Draw 20/1
The penultimate game of the round will see Brive take on Bayonne. Both teams in the bottom half of the table when the 2019/20 season was called and had only won seven of their first 14 fixtures.
In terms of off-season recruitment, Bayonne managed to snap up the signature of New Zealand Sevens start Joe Ravouvou while Brive picked up former North Harbour man Brandon Nansen.
Verdict: Brive 3/10
I’m expecting a tight old affair here. If the handicap opens up at anything over four points then I’ll be all over the plus.
Clermont v Toulouse
21:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Draw 20/1
The round comes to a close with what should have been a cracker of a game but with Toulouse said to have a handful of players suffering with COVID-19, Racing Metro could well have the upper hand here.
Both teams were rather slow off the blocks last season but started to come good just before the campaign came to a close. They both feature superstars of the game with Cheslin Kolbe lining up for Toulouse and Kurtley Beale in line to make his debut for Clermont.
Verdict: Clermont 9/20