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Toulouse on his throne.

The Toulouse leader (23 pts) has the opportunity to strengthen his hold on the Top 14 during his trip to Brive (11th, 11 pts), the worst team at home with a small victory.

But beware!

"It's never easy to play there. We know what to expect in terms of fighting. We will have to try to make as few mistakes as possible. It's not because we play the top of the board that we will go there as a dabbler. They will be reassembled after their complicated start to the season, "warned international full-back Melvyn Jaminet.

Same story for the center Pierre-Louis Barassi: "They are looking for a trigger match to really start their season. We are the big piece they want to hit. We are wary of this team", a- he still assured.

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Montpellier wants to get its claws out.

The defending champion is not really in danger (4th, 15 pts).

But his start to the half-fig half-grape season leaves a bitter taste and the arrival of Lou (10th, 13 pts) is an opportunity to inflate the muscles, a week after falling against Toulouse (19-17).

It will also be the moment of reunion between the MHR and its former coach Xavier Garbajosa, who is having a mixed start to his mandate with Les Gones.

His game plan does not yet seem to be completely in place, with the Lyonnais remaining on two straight losses away from their bases.

Mistrust.

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UBB, wounded beast.

Yacouba Camara (D) the flanker of Montpellier tries to tackle the back of Castres, Julien Dumora, during the Top 14 rugby match between Castres Olympique and Montpellier Hérault at the Pierre-Fabre stadium, October 8, 2022. Charly TRIBALLEAU AFP

A shock in the air of the final phase: Bordeaux-Bègles (12th, 10 pts) receives Racing 92 (7th, 13 pts), revenge of the dams.

At the time, the Girondins had largely won (36-16).

Four months later, things have changed.

The international second line Cameron Woki has notably changed sides and "will be keen to beat his former club", according to the Ile-de-France forwards coach, Didier Casadeï.

"He is very motivated but it is not Woki who is playing against Bordeaux and the 23 from Racing who will be aligned will have to be supportive and generous", he further explained.

Because the Sky and White, fallers of Pau (26-13), still have the margin.

They also have the opportunity to prove it on Saturday, ahead of UBB, beaten by Lyon (36-21).

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Toulon relies on its exes.

Opener Ihaia West, prop Dany Priso, winger Jérémy Sinzelle, second line Mathieu Tanguy... Many of them know the lawn of La Rochelle by heart and it is on them that the RCT will rely to make the European champion tremble.

"West had a lot of meetings this week, explaining how they were playing, how they could be answered. Some of the old La Rochelle guys have been talking about it for a few weeks, they're really looking forward to beating their old club," said center Duncan. Paia'aua to AFP.

It will probably take more in Toulon (3rd, 17 pts) against La Rochelle (2nd, 17 pts), undefeated at home since the end of January.

In the other matches of the day, Castres (9th, 13 pts) will want to take advantage of the arrival of Bayonne (8th, 13 pts) to chain a 25th victory in a row at home in the Top 14.

Finally, Stade Français (5th, 14 pts) will be able to aim for a place on the podium if successful on the field of Pau (14th, 8 pts) while Clermont (6th, 14 pts) and Perpignan (13th, 9 pts) will want to find colors.

© 2022 AFP