French Top 14 round three: Preview
The third round of the French Top 14 is set to go over the weekend and several teams are still trying to establish their games while others look as though they have already hit mid-season form. With upsets in both the first and second rounds, round three should offer its fair share of excitement.
Toulon vs. Racing Metro
Toulon will be at home against Racing Metro for the first game of this round on Friday.
Toulon is coming off of a tight victory on the weekend and still don't appear to be in full form. They will be hoping to finally get their season on track against Racing.
Racing are coming off of a huge loss to Montpellier last round and will need to play a better defensive game if they hope to handle Toulon.
Toulon is currently in sixth with five points, while Racing Metro is in 12th with four points.
Agen vs. Biarritz
Agen will be hosting Biarritz is their third round match-up on Saturday.
Agen are coming off their second loss of the season, recently being shut out by Bayonne. Agen have yet to find their form in the Top 14 and are still a favourite to be relegated.
Biarritz played well in a losing effort to Toulon last week and will be interested in making up for it against a weaker opponent on Saturday.
Agen is in last with zero points, while Biarritz is in ninth with four points.
Castres vs. Bayonne
Castres will host Bayonne on Saturday.
Castres are coming off of an impressive win over Toulouse last week and will be keen on maintaining their outstanding form.
Bayonne remains undefeated early in the season in part due to their impeccable defence. They will have their hands full with a strong Castres side on Saturday.
Castres is in eighth with five points, while Bayonne is in second with nine points.
Clermont-Auvergne vs. Brive
Clermont-Auvergne will host Brive on Saturday.
Both Clermont and Brive have had solid starts to the season going one-and-one. Brive and Clermont are both also coming off of round two victories and will hope to keep up their strong play. Nevertheless, both competitors played less skilled opponents last week and will have a tougher time dominating come Saturday.
Clermont is currently in seventh with five points, while Brive is in fourth with five points.
La Rochelle vs. Bourgoin-Jallieu
La Rochelle will host Bourgoin-Jallieu on Saturday.
La Rochelle is coming off of a terrible loss to Stade Francais last week and has a chance to rebound at home against a struggling Bourgoin side.
Bourgoin has not been able to find their form thus far in the 2010-11 season and will hope that any adjustments they have made in training will help them on the pitch against La Rochelle on the weekend.
La Rochelle is in 11th with four points, while Bourgoin is in 13th with zero points.
Perpignan vs. Montpellier
Perpignan will be at home to Montpellier on Saturday.
Perpignan is coming off a loss to Brive in which they could not seem to generate much offence. They will need to be more aggressive in their opponent’s end if they hope to keep pace with Montpellier.
Montpellier is coming off of an impressive win over Racing Metro. They looked strong on the offensive side of the ball and held racing to under 20 points.
Perpignan is in 10th with four points, while Montpellier is in fifth with five points.
Toulouse vs. Stade Francais
Toulouse will host Stade Francais in the late game on Saturday.
Toulouse had a strong first week followed by a disastrous second week and have still yet to find their form. They will need to bring a better effort against a skilled Stade side.
Stade meanwhile have looked the class of the Top 14 so far this season. They have put together a high-powered offence, which they will hope to employ this weekend.
Toulouse is in third with six points, while Stade Francais is in first with nine points.
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