1st Montpellier, 60 points
After having aligned a remarkable series of ten matches without defeat (9 wins, 1 draw), the MHR stalls a little more with two defeats in its last three matches (in Castres and Toulouse).
If the Héraultais have not lost their heads, they have the opportunity to resume their march forward by facing the two promoted (the BO at home, Usap in Perpignan).
It will be better to stock up on points before a tough schedule over the last four days (UBB, LOU, Racing, Clermont)… Paul Willemse is back, with the captain's armband and the aura of a Grand Slam.
Just like ''Momo'' Haouas to solidify the scrum.
If the Italian opening half Paolo Garbisi has a week's vacation, he will then be eagerly awaited.
Hoping to take full advantage of
a confidence boosted by the first victory for seven years of the transalpine XV in the Six Nations Tournament.
The injuries, more or less long-lasting, of Serfontein, Doumayrou, Vincent, Pollard and Paillaugue however weaken the rotation behind.
To discover
Schedule and Top 14 results
Ranking Top 14
2nd UBB, 58 points
The duplicates hurt the Girondin club.
Deprived of Cameron Woki, Yoram Moefana, as well as its hinge, Maxime Lucu, in the French team, and Matthieu Jalibert, still injured, the UBB unscrews: only one victory in its last seven Top 14 matches. displacement this Saturday evening on the lawn of the Stade Français the confidence well started by an ongoing series of five defeats.
But with the returns of Lucu, who can't wait to play more than five minutes of a match, and Woki (who will play in the second line where the injured Marais, Petti, Jolmes, Cazeaux and the suspended Douglas are lacking ), a burst is finally hoped for by Christophe Urios?
3rd Lyon, 54 points
After winning six matches in a row, the LOU is a little stuck: only one success in the last three outings in the Top 14. And a generous program: trips to Toulouse and Bordeaux;
receptions of Toulon Montpellier and La Rochelle.
Suffice to say that the room for error is minimal, as is the room for manoeuvre.
The workforce is however rather spared from injuries, even if the regulator of the three-quarter line, Charlie Ngatai, hit in the knee, is sorely lacking.
4th Castres, 54 points
As often, the CO is placed, without noise, without large bursts but without black series either.
By winning three of its last four Top 14 matches (against Toulon, Lyon and Montpellier), the Tarn club took advantage of doublings to strengthen its ambitions.
With a relatively lenient schedule compared to its rivals, elimination from the Champions Cup to lighten the schedule, and a workforce that has been little affected by the XV of France, Castres can once again surprise.
The receptions of Stade Toulousain (for an always sulphurous derby) and Clermont will be decisive.
The only downside is the suspension of his precious Fijian Vilimoni Botitu until April 25…
5th Toulouse, 53 points
The unscrewing was dizzying.
Six defeats in a row in the Top 14 (series started even before the departure of the dozen internationals for the XV of France), before a start of a start.
A victory on the wire against the UBB (12-11), a relapse in Paris, and a clear awakening against Montpellier last weekend (35-10).
The doubles ensured the essentials: if Toulouse lost three places in the standings, it is still part of the Top 6. The returns of Baille, Marchand, Cros, Jelonch, Dupont, Ntamack and other Ramos will do a lot of good for the double champion of France in title.
A place in the top two, synonymous with direct qualification for the semi-finals, is not utopian.
However, they will have to fight at the same time for the defense of their European title.
And hope that neither physical fatigue,
nor moral weariness, do not catch up with their many internationals.
In other good news, the indispensable New Zealand center Pita Ahki is finally in the recovery phase after a knee injury.
The awakening can be painful for future opponents (including Lyon, Castres and La Rochelle)…
6th Racing 92, 51 points
Racing is much better, thank you for him.
After a bumpy start to the season, the Ile-de-France residents had lined up six league successes?
Before a relapse, heavy and incomprehensible on the lawn of Perpignan (34-13).
A blessing in disguise if the problem was overconfidence.
Feet back on the ground, the Racingmen will tackle a strange schedule.
Trips to La Rochelle and Montpellier, or a triple derby (Top 14 and Champions Cup) in three weeks against the Parisian neighbor of Stade Français.
Beware of unpleasant surprises.
Just above the waterline, President Lorenzetti's club has no right off the road.
On the effective side, the light is green.
Teddy Thomas, Bernard Le Roux and even the talented Nolann Le Garrec, recovered from his serious shoulder injury, are back.
7th La Rochelle, 50 points
Atonio, Alldritt and Danty, the three Grand Slam heroes from La Rochelle, inevitably come back tired.
It will be necessary to be precise, between legitimate need and legitimate rest... And avoid swings in concentration.
A defeat in Biarritz, three convincing victories and a major relapse on the lawn of the RCT (41-11) last Saturday… On the calendar side, it looks hot with the receptions of Racing and the Stade Français, trips to Toulouse and Lyon, without forgetting the triple confrontation (Top 14 and Champions Cup) against UBB.
Attention danger for the unfortunate finalist, last season of the European Cup and the championship.
“With this group, I had good signals but, in the end, the result is not there.
Maybe on Saturday, against Racing 92, the season will be over.
, warned a Ronan O'Gara very touched by the absence of revolt of his troop in Toulon.
8th Clermont, 48 points
The Auvergnats have just filled up at home by winning their three matches in quick succession.
Not without trembling in the face of competitors, Lou (25-16) and UBB (29-26).
The calendar is full-bodied with trips to Toulon and Castres, or the reception of Montpellier on the last day.
The result of the round of 16 round trip against the Leicester Tigers will certainly play on the dynamics of a group which is gradually recovering its best elements (George Moala, Fritz Lee, Yohan Beheregaray).
The ASM will however have to do without until the end of the season of its Fijian pest, Apisai Naqalevu, victim of a broken arm.
