- Bordeaux-Begles to win (1/4, Paddy Power)
- Pau to win (13/10, Paddy Power)
- Castres +6 on the h'cap (10/11, Paddy Power)
- Racing -13 on the handicap (10/11, Paddy Power)
It was inevitable – and eminently sensible – that French pro rugby officialdom would take advantage of the government-imposed two-week European rugby hiatus to reschedule Top 14 games that had been postponed earlier in the season.
The LNR has picked up four games from the Covid-19 backlog for this coming weekend, and will reschedule the whole of the 19th round of the competition – which would have gone ahead on March 20 – for next weekend, creating a blank pro rugby space at the end of the current schedule of the 2021 Six Nations?
Another four catch-up games will take place on the weekend of February 6.
Got that? Good. Let’s take a look at the four Top 14 games this weekend, where the focus is very much on the bottom of the table.
Bordeaux v Clermont, Stade Chaban Delmas
Saturday, January 16, 3.15pm (local time)
The catch-up weekend opens with a doozy – though you might not think it from the mid-table mediocrity of the two sides heading into the game. It’s seventh versus eighth – and pretty much even on points scored and points conceded, though Clermont have played one game fewer than their hosts.
There may be no Santiago Cordero for Bordeaux – he’s out for six weeks with a dislocated shoulder – but countryman Bautista Delguy, in western France on a medical joker contract, scored twice in just his second outing as Christophe Urios’s men easily dispatched Lyon.
A place in the top six is at stake at Chaban Delmas. At a time of the season when points in the bag start becoming worth more than points in potentia, you’d normally favour the home side. And you have to do that here, even with no crowd present. Expect a fair few points, too.
VERDICT: Bordeaux-Begles to win (1/4, Paddy Power)
Bayonne v Pau, Stade Jean Dauger
Saturday, January 16, 9pm
The first of what could be two eight-point Top 14 games this weekend, as 12th entertains 11th.
The two sides, head into the weekend separated by points difference only – but Bayonne have not played at all since their Challenge Cup loss to Leicester on December 19, and were only able to resume training following a Covid outbreak at the club last Thursday.
It remains to be seen what nearly a month out means for the Basque side – though it’s almost impossible to see Joe Ravouvou failing to get on the scoresheet, if he plays. He’s run in six tries in nine starts this season, and has caused defensive headaches for every side he’s faced.
Pau, meanwhile, who are under new management scored 31 points last week, including a stunner from young Cork flier Eoghan Barrett, but lost a high-scoring encounter against Clermont. They’ll have to sort out their defence to win here, but may just sneak a big-point game.
VERDICT: Pau to win (13/10, Paddy Power)
Montpellier v Castres, GGL Stadium,
Sunday, January 17, 2.45pm
Another crucial foot-of-the-table encounter between two sides that expected better things, and have recently rejigged their coaching teams.
Montpellier have lost both their games to date under Philippe Saint-Andre, who took over less than two weeks ago when Xavier Garbajosa was sacked – and gave up a 19-point lead to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at Brive last weekend.
Tellingly, they have struggled to score tries – Arthur Vincent’s touchdown against Brive last Sunday was their first since Yvan Reilhac scored against Wasps in the Champions Cup on December 18 – and their first in the Top 14 since France prop Mohamed Haouas barged over in defeat to Bordeaux back on November 27.
Castres, on the other hand, have won both their games – against Lyon and Agen to record their first back-to-back victories of the season – since Mauricio Reggiardo was ‘promoted’ from head coach to manager, with former Bath coach Pierre-Henry Broncon stepping into his day-to-day coaching shoes, and David Darricarrere replacing Stephane Prosper as backs coach.
There was more snap to Castres’ attack last week as they picked up a try-scoring bonus for the first time this season in victory over Agen. They’re the happier camp right now.
This has all the hallmarks of a tense encounter. There won’t be much in it, either way, but Montpellier need to pull something out of the bag. It just doesn’t look like they’ll manage it.
VERDICT: Castres +6 on the h’cap (10/11, Paddy Power)
Racing 92 v Toulon, La Defense Arena
Sunday, January 17, 9.05pm
Dry, fast, indoor conditions. Two sides that love to run the ball in attack and are miserly in defence. What’s not to love about the fourth and final game of the catch-up Top 14 weekend?
Racing had an unexpected break last week following an outbreak of Covid-19 at scheduled opponents La Rochelle. They’ll be fresh, then, and raring to go for this Sunday’s visit of Toulon – with Simon Zebo, in particular, in a rich vein of try-scoring form. But the fact is whoever features in Racing’s plug-and-play backline, there are threats all over the place.
Toulon, too, had a week off, with their match against Bayonne also postponed, and will have a point to prove after a surprisingly lacklustre performance at Bordeaux.
With Louis Carbonel, likely to be on the bench when France head to Rome in the Six Nations next month, pulling the strings they can spring an attack from almost anywhere. But Racing – after their blank weekend – have to be strong favourites.
VERDICT: Racing -13 on the handicap (10/11, Paddy Power)
