Top 14

Clermont overcame Toulon in a thriller at the ­­­Stade Marcel-Michelin to keep the pressure on Toulouse, who thumped Lyon.

With Phillipe Saint-André having announced his Six Nations squad on Thursday, the 30 men selected will be out to prove themselves worthy of making France's starting XV against Italy in one month's time.

The curtain fell on 2011 with Toulouse extending their lead at the top of the Top 14 table, after Clermont Auvergne were held up at Lyon. Elsewhere there were surprise victories for Bordeaux-Bègles and Biarritz.

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.

In a repeat fixture of last season's final, the victors were once again Toulouse, this time in a far more comprehensive fashion.

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.

Victories for Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne put the top two sides well clear of the chasing pack, as Stade Francais won the battle of Paris and Perpignan fell to a seventh consecutive defeat in Week 12 of the French Top 14.

The top four teams clash with Toulouse hosting Toulon and Clermont welcoming Castres, whilst Paris will be divided as Stade Francais and Racing Metro meet in the capital in the twelfth round of the French Top 14.

In a weekend of tight fixtures Clermont Auvergne missed out on the opportunity to regain the lead of the Top 14 as Toulouse were held at Brive.

The French Top 14 returns after the European break with a host of exciting fixtures providing no let up for any of the sides in France's premier division.

It's that time of year again where weeks of fitness training, line out calls and increasingly intricate back line moves come to fruition and are put to the test with the tentative excitement and anticipation that heralds the opening of the new rugby season.

French side Stade Francais have been given clearance to remain in the Top 14 next season despite their financial problems.

Interview with Brent Russell

Top 14 Results this Weekend

Top 14 fixtures this weekend