With the Champions and Challenge Cup taking centre stage, there’s just the sole Top 14 fixture on the go this weekend, but it is a crucial one with sixth-placed Castres taking on seventh-placed Clermont in their catch-up fixture.
Both sides are gunning for the Barrage/Play-off places, and they will be eager to use their game in hand over the rest of the sides to advance their chances.
Darry Wrothington gives his verdict on how he thinks this one will pan out below
Castres v Clermont | Saturday 24 May | Stade Pierre Fabre at 21:00
To Win (80 Mins)
2/7 Castres | Draw 23/1 | Clermont 28/10
Castres currently occupy the final Barrage berth, and a win here could see them leapfrog La Rochelle into fifth spot, which would leave them in a very tidy position headed into the final two weeks of the Top 14 regular season.
Standing in their way, however, is a Clermont outfit that would also move into fifth spot on the Top 14 ladder with a win here.
The hosts for this one have found the going tough on the domestic front over the last two rounds and head into this one having taken on heavy hitters Toulouse and Bordeaux and come off second best, going down 52-6 to Toulouse and 34-29 to a somewhat understrength Bordeaux side, who had their eye on this weekend’s Champions Cup final.
Clermont have been in better touch over the past two rounds, although they have admittedly faced less intimidating opposition as they saw off relegation candidates Perpignan 31-13 and a hit-and-miss Lyon side 39-31.
When the sides met earlier this season, Clermont recorded a mammoth win as they ran out 54-10 victors. This was last November, however, and the big win came on Clermont’s own track.
Verdict: Castres
Homeground advantage is just so crucial at this time of the season in the Top 14, and I can see Castres proving that point here. My money’s on them winning this one between seven and 14 points.
