Top 14 Round 22: Preview
With just five rounds of the regular season left, no less than six clubs are still haunted by the spectre of relegation.
Last Updated: 30/03/12 10:15am
A weekend of massive fixtures awaits fans of French rugby - and with just five rounds of the regular season left, no less than six clubs are still haunted by the spectre of relegation.
The most important game of Round 22 sees Perpignan and Bayonne - separated by a single point - do battle on the edge of the relegation zone.
The stakes couldn't be higher at Stade Aime Giral as defeat for the visitors will leave them in serious trouble ahead of next week's Basque derby with Biarritz.
Perpignan, the 2009 champions, have had a shocking season but have showed signs of revival of late and will be encouraged by their losing bonus point against Clermont.
Bayonne have not won at Stade Aime Giral in 40 years but they too have found some form, winning four games since January.
Perpignan welcome no less than eight players from injury and rest, including influential figures like Nicolas Mas, Henry Tuilagi and Damien Chouly. Jean-Pierre Perez has, however, been suspended.
Bayonne are without Sam Gerber, Dwayne Haare and Mark Chisholm but welcome back Troy Flavell and Clement Baiocco.
Biarritz have managed to pull four points clear of the drop zone but are still far from safety as they clash with Clermont, who are gunning for the championship lead.
The return of French internationals Dimitri Yachvili and Imanol Harinordoquy has transformed Biarritz but Clermont are unbeaten since November 26 and looking to build some momentum ahead of the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens.
Biarritz have a lengthy injury list including Damien Traille and Fabien Barcella but welcome back Erik Lund.
Clermont will travel to the Atlantic coast without injured former All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Lyon will be at the 'last-chance saloon' when they face Bordeaux-Begles.
Survival
Lyon still have a mathematical chance of avoiding the drop, assuming they can win big against their former ProD2 rivals and then keep winning.
At the start of the season, most pundits would have predicted that the roles would be reversed but Bordeaux's win over Toulouse last week confirmed that they deserve their place in the top division. Victory on Saturday should be enough to secure their survival.
Brive also remain in trouble after coming off second best in an almighty battle with Bayonne - and things will not get any easier against Toloun.
To make matters worse, Brive still have games against Racing, Toulouse and Clermont left on the menu, meaning points at home this weekend are vital.
By contrast, Toulon - undefeated since mid-January - hit the road aiming to secure a home play-off.
The hosts have one of the worst home records in the championship but boast a very solid defence having conceded the least amount of tries this season.
Jocelino Suta and Leonardo Senatore are back for Toulon but the visitors have confirmed that French international Alexis Palisson will not start against his former club.
Away from the relegation dogfight, France's two most famous clubs clash in what is always a spectacular occasion.
Having held the championship lead for most of the season, Toulouse have had a bit of a wobble with two losses in their last three games.
Last week's loss in Bordeaux would have come as a shock to Guy Noves's side, who are already assured of a semi-final spot but will be looking to build momentum ahead of next weekend's Heineken Cup quarter-finals.
Currently in the last play-off berth, Stade Francais have plenty to play for with Racing Metro breathing down their necks.
With one eye on next week's Euro showdown with Edinburgh, Toulouse are resting William Servat, Clement Poitrenaud, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Luke McAlister, Luke Burgess and Census Johnston but welcome back Yoann Maestri, Thierry Dusautoir and Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Thumped
Stade have lost David Attoub to a hand injury while Byron Kelleher will not face his former team-mates due to a troublesome hamstring.
With a play-off on home soil still very much within reach, Montpellier will expect to bounce back against an Agen side with little left to play for.
After being thumped by Stade Français last week, Agen have fallen off the pace in the play-offs race but have a 10-point cushion on the relegation zone.
Agen fly-half Conrad Barnard is the league's top marksman with 225 points this season and with no pressure on their shoulders, the visitors will be out to became the fifth team to win at Stade Yves Du Manoir this term.
The action, though, kicks off on Friday when Racing Metro face a must-win game against fellow play-off hopefuls Castres.
Racing have blown hot and cold this season, as illustrated but their strong start last week before being swept aside in the second half by Toulon.
Castres have been solid on the road this year, winning four games and claiming a draw. Last week's excellent win over Montpellier left them leading the race for a home play-off.
Racing will start with Frans Steyn at full-back, while Castres will be boosted by Luc Ducalcon's presence in the front row.
