Top 14: Final Round Preview

The Top 14 reaches the end of it regular season this weekend - with the race for top spot set for a dramatic climax.

After setting the pace for most of the season, it's all coming apart at the seams for Castres who have had to face all four of the other clubs in the top five over the past weeks. Three defeats in four weeks have halted their momentum and Toulouse will look to exploit this stutter.

The 70 km trip to Toulouse could happen again in fortnight as it's quite possible that these teams face each other in the play-offs. A losing bonus point would be enough for Castres to maintain fourth spot and hence host the play-off.

Just how do Toulouse approach this match given that they have a Heineken Cup semi-final a week later?

Toulouse full-back Maxime Médard, who missed last week's game due to a sprained ankle, is still uncertain to be in part home team. The hosts will be able to count on wing Vilimoni Delasau, who played his first game in red and black after coming across from Montauban as a medical joker.

Castres also have injury concerns with Romain Cabannes, Yann Audrin and Carl Hoeft all doubtful.

Current championship leaders Toulon face a Brive side one point behind Biarritz in the race for the seventh spot that could book a route into the Heineken Cup.

Nine straight wins in the Top 14 and Europe and Toulon are flying. Centre Mafileo Kefu is the only injury in the squad so Philippe Saint-André can count on the likes of Tana Umaga, Jonny Wilkinson, Sonny Bill Williams, Juan-Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Joe Van Niekerk et al.

Clermont will look to take advantage of any slip up by Toulon when they take on Biarritz.

However, while the Basques prepare for the Heineken Cup semi-final next week, they'll know that they need to overcome Clermont to secure seventh spot and given themselves a much-needed safety net.

Surgery

Biarritz are awaiting a scan on Imanol Harinordoquy's broken nose to see whether he will need surgery but there is some good news in the form of the return of Magnus Lund.

Clermont scrum-half Morgan Parra, who hurt his knee against Castres, is in the squad but is an uncertain starter. Lionel Faure and Martin Scelzo return from injury, but Anthony Floch and Alexandre Lapandry are given a rest.

The defending champions Perpignan host already-relegated whipping boys Albi as they look to snatch top spot from under the noses of Toulon.

Despite Albi's shock win in the away leg, few are predicting anything other than a big win for Perpignan.

Perpignan fly-half Gavin Hume will be in the stands after he broke a metatarsal against Toulon and needed surgery. He is now doubtful for the Top 14 semi-finals.

At the other end of the table Montauban and Bayonne clash in a battle to avoid joining Albi in the bottom two.

However with Montauban already facing relegation due to finances, the result on the pitch could end up being insignificant.

Try as they might, it must be near impossible for the Montauban players to focus on the task at hand, as was evident in their loss to Montpellier last week.

Bayonne on the other hand have been gathering momentum with five wins from nine starts and victory over Brive last week would have provided an extra injection of confidence.

Stade Français will need a massive bonus point win over Racing Métro in the Paris derby if they are to keep alive their outside hopes of finishing seventh.

Safety

It seems near-impossible for Stade to outscore their fellow Parisians by three tries, but that shouldn't dampen spirits as revenge for a narrow defeat earlier in the season should be motivation enough for the men in pink.

Indeed Stade Français will be eager to forget their saison catastrophique and give a number of playing and coaching staff a winning send-off.

Racing-Métro are likely to rest prop Clement Baiocco

There will be little for Montpellier and Bourgoin to play for with both sides having already secured their safety.

The crowd at Stade Yves Du Manoir will hence be hoping for an open game as Montpellier captain Fulgence Ouedraogo starts for the first time since spraining his knee.

There will also be a send off for Bourgoin fly-half Benjamin Boyet, who has announced his departure for Bayonne at the end of the season. Jean-Philippe Genevois, Karena Wihongi and Albert Vulivuli are also on their way elsewhere as Bourgoin look to slash their salary budget for next year. They've avoided relegation this time, but the signs are not good for next season.