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French Top 14

PREVIEW: Red hot Toulouse are at Bayonne in Round 9 of the Top 14

With the Autumn Internationals just a week away, the big name sides that are stocked with French international talent will be looking to make the most of their French stars before they head off on national duty.

Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

With the Autumn Internationals just a week away, the big-name sides that are stocked with French international talent will be looking to make the most of their stars before they head off on national duty.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Saturday 29 October

Castres 41/100 | Draw 22/1 | Clermont 2/1 (15:00)

We kick the weekend’s action off with a clash between seventh-placed Castres and sixth-placed Clermont. Only three points separate the sides on the ladder and while it’s early doors in the season, both sides will be desperate to push deep into the ‘Barrage’ places. 

The duo come into this one off the back of disappointing results with the hosts going down 28-20 to Toulon last weekend. They were desperately unlucky not to walk away with at least a losing bonus point from the fixture.

Clermont, meanwhile, claimed two points in Round 8 drawing 23-23 with Bordeaux. It would have felt like a loss for them, however, as they were 17-3 to the good with 40 minutes on the board.

Clermont just can’t seem to hold onto a lead at the minute, and I reckon they’ll struggle against this dogged Castres side. 

La Rochelle 1/11 | Draw 33/1 | Pau (17:00)

Our next fixture pits La Rochelle up against Pau. The hosts currently lie third on the ladder having won five of their eight fixtures, while Pau are in 13th place having only won two of their eight. 

It was another disappointing weekend of rugby for Pau in Round 8 as they ran Lyon really close but eventually went down 31-27, with two late Lyon tries swinging the game. Pau did manage to claim a losing bonus point with a late try of their own. 

La Rochelle also come into this one off the back of a narrowish defeat as they went down 26-17 to a red-hot Toulouse side. After a sluggish first half, La Rochelle burst into life, levelling the scores with 10 minutes remaining. Toulouse would ultimately pull away, however, with a late converted try and penalty buried La Rochelle. 

They have been excellent so far this season, and they were really unlucky against Toulouse. I reckon La Rochelle will bounce back this Saturday. 

Montpellier 1/6 | Draw 28/1 | Stade Francais 44/10 (17:00)

We are onto our first big-ticket affair for the weekend which will see reigning champions Montpellier take on a Stade side on the up-and-up. The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season with Montpellier currently 11th on the standings having registered three wins from their eight fixtures while Stade sit second with five wins from eight. 

In terms of last weekend’s results, Montpellier were involved in a high-scoring thriller in Paris as they went down 38-31 to Racing 92. Montpellier looked dead and buried midway through the second half as they were 32-17 down. They would storm back into the game with two late tries but Racing would ultimately cling to their lead. 

Stade had a far better time of it in Round 8 as they easily swept aside Brive, running out 27-0 victors. 

Montpellier still look like they’re nursing a hangover from last season’s Top 14 title. I reckon Stade will cause them problems this weekend.  Definitely worth a tickle at 44/10.

Perpignan 66/100 | Draw 25/1 | Lyon 13/10 (17:00)

Next up we’ve got Perpignan welcoming Lyon to the Stade Aime Giral. The hosts are currently sitting at the foot of the table with only two wins from eight games while Lyon sit pretty in fifth with five wins from eight. 

Lyon really have hit their straps in recent weeks with last weekend’s 31-27 win over Pau being their fourth win in their last five games. While it wasn’t the most eye-catching of victories, it was still a solid effort against a very handy Pau side. 

Perpignan were unable to bag the win in Round 8 as they went down 24-20 to fellow minnows Bayonne. The defeat would have been a bitter pill to swallow for Perpignan who were 6-17 up at the half-time break. 

Lyon are in great form and I cannot see them slipping up here. 

Brive 11/10 | Draw 22/1 | Racing 77/100 (17:00)

Racing will be looking to build on their victory over Montpellier when they take on a Brive outfit who are getting drawn further and further into a scrap to avoid relegation. 

Inspired by Scottish pivot Finn Russell, Racing pulled out all the attacking tricks against Montpellier last weekend with their attractive rugby reaping dividends as they won a high-scoring thriller by seven points. The result saw them move up to eighth on the Top 14 ladder. 

Brive had a far tougher time of it in Round 8 as they fired a blank against Stade, going down 27-0 to the Parisians. The scoreline could have been far less flattering had Stade decided to move through the gears instead of taking their foot off the gas. 

I don’t usually tip this many away sides in a Top 14 preview, but I just cannot help back this exciting Racing outfit. 

Bayonne 59/100 | Draw 22/1 | Toulouse 14/10 (22:05)

Our penultimate game of the weekend will see a Bayonne side who are currently punching above their weight take on league pacesetters, Toulouse. 

Bayonne are doing really well at present, winning four of their eight fixtures which has seen them solidify their grip on ninth spot. They have played some decent rugby as well and shown a lot of heart, particularly last week when they came from behind to beat Perpignan 24-20. 

While Bayonne have enjoyed a good start to the season, Toulouse have been absolutely tearing it up winning seven of their eight fixtures. Their most recent win came last Monday, as they beat an in-form La Rochelle side 26-17. 

While Bayonne have been doing well I cannot see them getting one over the ladder-leaders. 

Sunday 30 October

Bordeaux Begles 9/20 | Draw 20/1 | Toulon 19/10 (22:05)

Round 9 comes to a close at the Stade Chaban-Delmas where the Bordeaux Begles will tackle Toulon. 

Toulon have been sensational this term winning five of their eight games, with their most recent win coming last Saturday where they beat Castres 28-20. They currently lie fourth on the ladder with this being their best start to a season in a long old while. 

Bordeaux have had a more sluggish start winning three of their eight games. They have also registered a draw, which came last week where they held Clermont 23-23. 

I reckon home-ground advantage will give Bordeaux the edge here despite Toulon being in great form. 

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