French Top 14 round eight: Preview
The eighth round of the French Top 14 is set to go over the weekend and it is certain to be another exciting edition of French rugby.
Preview
Agen vs. Stade Francais
Agen will host Stade Francais at home in Stade Armandie this week.
Agen is coming off a loss to Montpellier in round seven and will need to turn it around if they hope to avoid relegation at the end of the season.
Stade Francais suffered another loss last week, this time to Perpignan. Francais has struggled mightily since opening the season 3-0. If they are not able to find their early season form again soon they could be at risk of relegation.
Agen is currently in 13th with seven points, while Stade Francais is in 10th with 15 points.
Brive vs. Toulouse
Brive will host Toulouse at home in Stade Amedee-Domenech on the weekend.
Brive is coming off a loss to Castres last week and cannot seem to remain consistant this season. Now sitting near the bottom of the table they will have to put together a string of wins if they hope to finish in the top seven.
Toulouse was able to win an important match against Bayonne last week, recording their fourth win of the year. Toulouse finally looks as though they have found their form and should be a force for the rest of the season.
Brive is currently in ninth with 15 points, while Toulouse is in third with 21 points.
Clermont Auvergne vs. Castres
Clermont Auvergne will welcome Castres to Clermont-Ferrand this weekend.
Clermont recently suffered a defeat at the hands of Toulon and will be keen to get back on track against a well matched Castres side.
Castes was able to tally a victory over Brive in round seven and will be interested in continuing their ascension up the rankings with a win on the weekend.
Clermont is currently in 11th with 15 points, while Castres is in sixth with 18 points.
Metro Racing vs. Biarritz
Biarritz will visit Colombes to play Metro Racing on the weekend.
Biarritz recorded their fourth win of the season over La Rochelle last week and look poised to challenge for the top seven in 2010-11.
Metro Racing continued to play well last week with a huge win over last place Bourgoin-Jallieu. Metro has been steadily improving throughout the course of the season and will be keen on retaining first spot with a win over Biarritz.
Biarritz is currently in eighth with 18 points, while Metro is in first with 23 points.
Bayonne vs. Perpignan
Bayonne will welcome Perpignan to Stade Jean-Dauger for their round eight match-up.
Bayonne suffered a tough loss to Toulouse last week and will be interested in getting back to the top of the table with a win over Perpignan on the weekend.
Perpignan pulled off an exciting one-point win over Stade Francais on the weekend, as they continued to play well against lower ranked sides.
Bayonne sits in fourth with 21 points, while Perpignan is in seventh with 18 points.
Montpellier vs. La Rochelle
Montpellier will host La Rochelle at home in Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Saturday.
Montpellier is celebrating a big win over Agen in round seven and should be able to force a similar fate in their match against La Rochelle.
La Rochelle continued to struggle with a loss to Biarritz last week and will once again have their hands full with a very skilled Montpellier side.
Montpellier is currently in second with 22 points, while La Rochelle is in 12th with 10 points.
Tags: