An action packed festive night of rugby awaits the top flight of French rugby, as all 14 sides look to give their fans an early Christmas present on Friday. Brive host local rivals Clermont Auvergne, whilst Clermont's title rivals Toulouse head to Montpellier in a repeat of last season's final.
Brive v Clermont Auvergne 18:00
Brive host second placed Clermont looking to extend an undefeated run of three matches against their neighbours. In what already promises to be an exciting game of rugby, the best attack in the league will face their toughest try-scoring challenge of the season as in Brive they come up against the side who have shipped the fewest tries in this campaign.
Despite defeat to Leicester last week, Clermont have been playing with confidence and flair lately and should be too much for a tenacious Brive side. Clermont by 7.
Bayonne v Castres 18:30
Bayonne have had a mixed season so far, and welcome Castres looking for a vital four points to lift them clear of the relegations spots for Christmas.
Castres will be looking to bounce back from both defeat last time out in the league and their pointless drubbing by Northampton last weekend in the Heineken Cup. Castres are still in the play-off places, but have fallen away from the third place they had until recently held. A trip to the Basque side will not be easy, especially with the home side desperate for a victory to ease relegation fears. The game should be close, but Bayonne will want it more. Bayonne by 5.
Stade Français v Biarritz 18:30
Biarritz will have to improve measurably upon their Heineken Cup performances of the last two weeks if they are to drag themselves off the foot of the table for Christmas.
The Parisians have began to find the form and match the results of the Stade Français of old, with big wins over Clermont and Racing Metro in their last two home games. Stade find themselves just five points adrift of third place, and very much in contention for the play-off spots this season.
Their visitors fell back to the foot of the Top 14 table, a position they have occupied for much of the season. History is against the Basque side “ never has the side bottom of the table after 12 games avoided relegation “ and Biarritz will struggle to turn things around in the capital on Friday. While they have the quality that should see them to safety come the end of the season, the recovery is unlikely to begin in Paris. Stade by more than 7.
Perpignan v Bordeaux-Bègles 18:30
Tenth travel to twelfth at the Stade Aimé Giral, in a crucial game for both sides. Perpignan's search for a victory in the league continues as they seek to avoid a near unfathomable eighth defeat in a row for the 2009 champions.
The game promises to be a scrappy one, both teams teeter dangerously close to the relegation spots, and Perpignan especially will take a victory, no matter how ugly. Despite Bordeaux's impressive form this season, expect Perpignan to finally have something to celebrate at Christmas. Perpignan by about 3.
Toulon v Lyon 18:30
A stellar run of form by Toulon, losing just one in their last six matches, has seen the home side rise to third in the closely contested fight for the play-off places. Their visitors Lyon recorded an important victory against struggling Perpignan to lift them from the foot of the table, but the Division 2 champions are still staring relegation in the face.
Toulon will be boosted by the news that talisman Johnny Wilkinson has signed a contract extension with the club. The recently-retired England international has been pivotal in his side's rise up the league, and his metronomic boot will be more than enough to see off the visitors to the Stade Mayol on Friday. Toulon by more than 7.
Racing Métro v Agen 19:30
Agen missed out on the chance to go third with defeat to Toulon last Tuesday, and they will face another tough visit to a side around them as they travel to the capital to take on Racing Metro.
Following a poor home defeat to London Irish, Racing's Heineken Cup hopes are over, despite avenging their defeat in the return fixture in Reading. The Parisians will now be able to fully focus on their domestic campaign, and victory over their play-off rivals on Friday will put them in a strong position, and rejuvenate their faltering league run. Racing by 5.
Montpellier v Toulouse 20:00
Despite failing to pick up a victory in back-to-back fixtures against Glasgow, Montpellier's season is on the up. The visit of the champions give Montpellier an opportunity to avenge last season's final defeat, and continue their league revival that has seen them grab onto the coat tails of the sides battling for the play-off places.
Toulouse will be reeling following their shock defeat at home to Harlequins in the Heineken Cup. Montpellier could be the victims of the French giant's backlash, but as ever with French teams on the road, Toulouse could falter and fall to only a second defeat of the season at the Stade Yves du Manoir. The champions have been run close on several occasions this season, and with a stand-off of Francois Trinh-Duc's quality opposing them, their hosts could spring a surprise on them, and send the home fans home with a very welcome Christmas present. Montpellier by less than 5.
