Paris (AFP)

Two hundred and two days later, Stade Toulouse, the last French champion, returned to its Ernest-Wallon stadium on Saturday, on the second day of Top 14, which will also see Bordeaux-Bègles, leader of the season at the time of the frost, play his first game.

Impressive responsiveness in Clermont last week (33-30), the Toulouse residents will want to win their first victory of the season for their reunion with their stadium, limited to 5,000 people.

A first since their success in front of Montpellier (25-7), on February 23.

The arrival of La Rochelle, 5th at the time of the end of the season in March, is timely, especially as the Red and Black receive the Irish province of Ulster a week later, in the quarter-finals of the Cup from Europe.

General repetition?

Not sure.

"The Toulouse Stadium is tough. After the match they played in Clermont, 13 against 15 ... We are going to go 100%," warns the pillar of Rochelais Uini Atonio.

Because La Rochelle, which also offered Toulon (29-15), has started its season well.

The rookies seem - already! - well integrated but the Maritimes have not forgotten their 38-0 defeat in a preparation game just three weeks ago.

"We do not take into account the friendly match in Limoges. You only have to observe their first meeting against Toulon to consider the level that awaits us this weekend", warned Clément Poitrenaud, the coach of the three -Toulousan quarters.

The Reds and Blacks will however have to do without Iosefa Tekori and Richie Arnold, excluded from Clermont and who were suspended for a week.

- No pressure for the UBB -

For UBB, untouchable leader in March, it's back to school!

Stade français - Bordeaux Bègles postponed, the Girondins will play their first official match of the season, against Brive.

With great desire.

"We have solid foundations, benchmarks, it does not put more pressure on us than that. We know that we will be expected much more this year, it does not disturb us, we are looked at a little differently", explains Nans Ducuing .

"Frankly, we all want to enter the competition, there are enough. We trained for nothing", adds his trainer Christophe Urios.

And Brive is ready to move: Bayonne striker (42-23) during the 1st day, the CAB will pass a defensive test on the Bordeaux-Béglaise lawn.

Saturday, Clermont, winner on the edge of Toulouse (33-30) during the first day, faces Bayonne without his Japanese international back Kotaro Matsushima but with the French winger Damian Penaud, back from a strained thigh.

And with a lot to prove.

"We are aware that we have a lot of things to improve. We still have a lot of work to do to find the right automatisms, the right timings and the right connections", said the Clermontois Alexandre Fischer.

Program of the 2nd day of Top 14 played on Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September:

Friday

(8:45 p.m.) Pau - Agen 33-23

Racing 92 - Montpellier 41-17

Saturday

(3.15 p.m.) Toulouse - La Rochelle

(6.15 p.m.) Bayonne - Clermont

Bordeaux-Begles - Brive

Sunday

(8:45 p.m.) Castres - Stade Français

(9 p.m.) Toulon - Lyon

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