Rivals in the ProD2 not long ago, Albi and Racing Metro have very different ambitions in the Top 14.
At Stade Municipale, Saturday August 15, kick-off 3pm
Rivals in the ProD2 not long ago, Albi and Racing Metro have very different ambitions in the Top 14.
The Parisian side, coached by the astute Pierre Berbizier, have benefited from a massive recruitment campaign highlighted by a second row of Les Bleus team-mates Sébastien Chabal and Lionel Nallet. Dan Scarborough has also swapped Saracens for the French capital.
With the fifth biggest budget in the championship, Racing are expected to make waves from day one. Sound familiar? Toulon might have a few words of advice for the new boys on the block.
Albi have kept a far lower profile but have returned to the Top 14 with a point to prove.
Dumped out of the elite two seasons ago for financial irregularities, Eric Béchu and his team will want to show that they deserve their place in the top flight - and what better way to do it than by upsetting the headliners from the capital on the opening day.
