After a week's break the Top 14 returns for the final run up to the end of the season. As the race for the play-offs hots up third placed Toulon host sixth Racing, whilst fourth travel to fifth as Toulon host Racing. Elsewhere in a repeat of the 2010 final, Clermont welcome Perpignan, and in a vital battle at the bottom, Biarritz travel to Lyon.
Friday
Bordeaux-Bègles v Toulouse 19:45
Bordeaux-Bègles welcome the champions in Friday night's game after four games on the bounce without a win. Toulouse return to full strength after the Six Nations period as they look for a ninth win in ten games on Friday.
On the face of it, the game should be a one-sided affair; the champions have lost just three times all season, while Bordeaux have lost more than that in their last four outings. However three of those four defeats have been on the road, where Bordeaux have struggled all season.
Their home form has been very impressive, with a number of big name scalps already this season. They have only lost two of their last seven home games, those being against title hopefuls Montpellier and Clermont, so Toulouse must be wary of the threat posed.
With France having played four matches over four weekends, Guy Novés may be tempted to rest his internationals, but the strength in depth that Toulouse have should mean that whatever side is put out against Bordeaux, they should be successful. Toulouse by 5.
Saturday
Castres v Montpellier 13:15
Just one point separates fifth-placed Castres and fourth-placed Montpellier heading into Saturday's encounter, but both sides are in very different veins of form with Montpellier winning six of their last seven, while it has been four games since Castres picked up a victory.
The home side pulled out one of their performances of the season last time out in Toulouse, and were desperately unlucky to come away with just a losing bonus point. They will need to play with the same sort of attacking flair for the rest of the season if they wish to secure a top six finish. As well as being without a win in their last three outings, Castres have won just three games in their last 12 matches, and it looks as though their great early season work could be undone.
Montpellier have had quite the opposite season. A slow start saw them pick up just two wins in the first nine matches, and a repeat of last season's run to the final looked a long way off. However since then they have lost just twice in eleven games to move into the top four, and if recent performances are anything to go by, a home quarter-final looks a certainty.
However victory for Castres on Saturday and the race will again be blown wide open. Neither side have been too greatly affected by Six Nations call-ups, although Montpellier will welcome back mercurial fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc to their line-up.
Castres' fullback Romain Teulet has been dangerously accurate with the boot in recent weeks, and although the hosts have struggled with five pointers this season, Montpellier will have to be careful not to concede too many kickable penalties, as they will likely be punished.
Castres raised their game last time out, and the narrow 18-17 defeat of last season will be in the back of their minds, but Montpellier are a side in form and heading in the right direction at the right time, and should edge a close encounter. Montpellier by 3.
Clermont Auvergne v Perpignan 13:15
Less than two years ago Clermont Auvergne emerged victorious against Saturday's opponents in the French Top 14 final. Now the two sides find themselves in vastly differing situations “ Clermont are still hot on the heels of leaders Toulouse as they search for a second championship in three seasons, while Perpignan sit a very uncomfortable four points away from the relegation places.
One win in seven, two in fifteen. That is the reason for Perpignan's predicament, a situation that they have little chance of improving as they visit the impenetrable Stade Marcel-Michelin looking for just a second away win all season.
Champions Toulouse came here three weeks ago and lose by 30 points, it is hard to see Perpignan do any more than secure a losing bonus point. The Catalan side take on relegation rivals Bayonne next week, and will be sure to have an eye on that must win match this weekend.
Clermont are undefeated in nine matches and will be strengthened by their returning internationals. Although Perpignan cannot be ruled out entirely, there is a certain pride and passion that comes with wearing the red and gold colours that cannot be ignored, but with Clermont's home record and Perpignan's general lack of form, a repeat of the 2010 final is on the cards. Clermont by 10.
Lyon v Biarritz 13:15
A vital clash at the foot of the table sees basement side Lyon welcome a Biarritz side teetering on the edge of the drop zone.
Biarritz appear to have turned a corner recently, two wins on the bounce has eased the side out of the relegation zone, and as long as they can keep talismanic scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili fit for the final six games, their safety should be guaranteed.
The France international's game management and influx of tempo on the Basque side is clear to see, and four wins and a losing bonus point in his five starts this season tells you all you need to know about his impact on the Biarritz squad.
Lyon are without a win in five, the only positive result in recent weeks being their low-scoring draw against Castres. They have looked more dangerous at home this season, but unless they find a way of nullifying the pivotal pairing of Yachvili and Imanol Harinordoquy, this match could all-but confirm their return to Pro D2 rugby next season. Biarritz by 7.
Stade Français v Agen 13:15
Stade welcome Agen to the Stade Charlety with both sides needing a win to keep their play-off hopes alive.
After a promising start to the season, Agen have slipped down the table and remain an outside bet at making the top six, lying five points behind Racing Metro, and three behind their hosts on Saturday.
Stade's dominant victory over bottom side Lyon last time out was their first win in five matches, and although they are just two points behind their neighbours, they are in danger of losing out on a play-off spot at the expense of Racing.
As ever the familiar surroundings of the Stade Charlety will give the hosts the edge, and with Stade's record of running in plenty of tries at home, and Agen's inability to find the try-line this season, Stade should take this one comfortably. Stade by 10.
Toulon v Racing Métro 15:15
Another clash of play-off rivals takes place at the Stade Mayol on Saturday afternoon, in fact if the table stays as it is, Racing will return to face Toulon in the play-off quarter-finals.
First however the Parisians have to secure their play-off spot. With their neighbours Stade breathing down their neck they will need a result this weekend, no easy task given who their opponents are.
Toulon have only won one of their last three matches, although the other two were draws, extending their unbeaten run that has stood since the first week of 2012. With a gap of six points to fourth-placed Montpellier and an eleven point buffer over Stade in seventh, the home side are almost guaranteed a play-off place, and more likely than not a home play-off.
Last weekend's closely fought draw at Perpignan showed that Toulon don't rely entirely on the boot of Jonny Wilkinson with Australian international Matt Giteau kicking well. The Mediterranean side have looked fairly unbeatable lately, whereas Racing still don't appear to have recovered from the internal debacle that threatened to derail their championship challenge.
Three wins in a row is nothing to be sniffed at, but the manner of Racing's victories has been far from impressive. How they will cope in the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Stade Mayol remains to be seen. Toulon by 10.
Bayonne v Brive 19:45
Brive travel to Bayonne knowing a victory will go a long way to securing their safety this season. The gap between the sides stands at seven points and a Brive win would extend that to double figures.
Victory for Bayonne however and Brive will be well and truly sucked into the relegation fight. With next week's opponents being eleventh placed Perpignan, the next two weeks could define Bayonne's season.
Brive have by far the strongest defence this season, while Bayonne have scored less tries than anyone else (alongside their neighbours Biarritz), so as ever with Brive, a high scoring match is unlikely to be on the cards.
There is no doubt it will be a fiercely fought affair, and it will all come down to whether Brive have finally learned how to close of a tight match. So far this season this hasn't been the case, and there is no reason to suggest this won't change. Bayonne by 2.
