The curtain closes on 2011 with top side Toulouse hosting big spending Bayonne, and high flying Toulon travelling to a Biarritz side looking to avoid ending the year at the foot of the table as France embraces a busy New Year period.
Friday
Toulouse v Bayonne 20:00
2011 has seen Bayonne parting with a large sum of money for little return. The Basque side sit in 11th, just four points away from the relegation places having played a game more than the sides directly below them. They face the unenviable task of a trip to Toulouse on Friday night as they search for a first win in four games.
Their hosts are undefeated in the league since the middle of October, and apart from the blemish upon their home record by Harlequins two weeks ago, the Stade Ernest-Wallon has been nigh on impenetrable.
Bayonne's recent splashing of the cash may have given them a squad that on paper few in the Top 14 can rival, but it has so far failed to convert to success on the pitch. Despite the fact that they defeated the league leaders on the opening day of the season, it is hard to predict anything other than a dominant victory for Toulouse on Friday night. Toulouse by more than 7.
Saturday
Montpellier v Racing Metro 13:05
Montpellier will be looking to bounce back from the heavy defeat handed out to them by Toulouse last Friday, which brought to an end a run of games that has seen them remain in contention for the play-off places for a second season in a row.
Their opponents will not make it easy, four wins in the last five games for Racing Metro has kept the Parisians hot on the tails of the sides above them, their only defeat in the last five games in the Paris derby does not appear to have damaged their confidence.
Montpellier have been unlucky in Europe, and defeat to Toulouse aside, they have been in good form and should have enough forward power to take on a physical Racing and come out on top. Montpellier by less than 7.
Agen v Brive 13:15
Agen will end a mixed 2011 inside the top half of the league table, and have a good opportunity to notch up an eighth victory of the season against an ineffective Brive side on Saturday. The minnows have lost their last two games to drop away from the top of the table following a strong run of games, but with the top half of the table so tight, a win will keep them in the mix.
No side has lost more times than Brive this season, and only basement side Biarritz have won fewer. The away side have avoided defeat just once in their last five games, a hard fought draw against Toulouse “ this, and the their record of least tries conceded this season are the only positive notes in a so far otherwise disappointing season for Brive. Despite running Clermont close last week, it is difficult to see where the points will come from for Brive to overcome their hosts. Agen by 7.
Bordeaux-Begles v Stade Francais 13:15
After a slow start to the season, Stade Francais are now the form side in the league, with eight wins in a row in all competitions. The Parisians have been running in the tries lately, and are level with local rivals Racing Metro in fifth place, just behind Toulon and Castres.
Their hosts for Saturday afternoon have had an up-and-down time since promotion. Bordeaux have secured five wins already this season, but inconsistency has cost them “ they have failed to string together consecutive wins this season and they lie just above the relegation places. With Stade in their current run of form it is hard to see the home side bouncing back from defeat to Perpignan last Friday. Stade by more than 7.
Castres v Perpignan 13:15
The heady heights of the early rounds of the season which saw them win 7 games in a row must seem like a long time ago for Castres, who are without a win in five games.
Their opponents Perpignan finally managed to end their awful run of 6 defeats on the bounce with a strong second half performance to see off Bordeaux last week. The victory showed what the Catalan side are capable of, and with still half the season to go they will believe they can still qualify for the play-offs come the end of the season. Castres are still fourth, but will need to turn around their fortunes soon, or they will soon find themselves switching places with Perpignan. Castres by 3.
Lyon Olympique v Clermont Auvergne 13:15
If Lyon are to stand any chance of seeing out the new year outside of the relegation zone, they will have to go in search of a fourth victory of the season against second-placed Clermont on Saturday. So far December hasn't been a terrible month for the home side, with a victory over Perpignan and a narrow defeat against form-side Toulon but the visit of Clermont will be a tough game.
Clermont were less than impressive last time out, scraping to victory against a stubborn Brive side. They will come up against another strong defensive side in Lyon, but should have enough quality and strength to provide some early fireworks for their travelling fans. Clermont by 7.
Biarritz v Toulon 13:15
Biarritz will have to overcome a confident Toulon side if they are to avoid being the side propping up the table as the Top 14 heads into 2012. A solitary victory in seven games seems incredible considering the wealth of talent in the Basque side's ranks, but the absence of pivotal scrum half Dmitri Yachvilli has had a huge impact.
Toulon have lost just once since Johnny Wilkinson returned from the World Cup, and despite how close the table is, they look to be dead set for a top three finish, and if the two sides above them slip up they are likely to be the side to sneak into the semi-finals at the end of the season. Toulon by 7.
