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Clermont in pursuit of lost time

Unable to win for four matches, ASM (10th, 22 points) must wake up.

A defeat against Montpellier (5th, 28 pts), defending champion, would leave the Auvergnats with their backs to the wall.

Between Top 14 and Champions Cup, the month of December should set the tone for the end of the Clermont season.

But the room for maneuver is slim.

Good news for Damian Penaud's teammates: Montpellier should rest players such as Léo Coly, Louis Carbonel, Alexandre Bécognée, Vincent Rattez or Ben Lam, in addition to the neo-international Florian Verhaeghe, suspended.

The Héraultais, on three successes in a row, nevertheless seem armed to thwart the ambitions of Auvergne.

Clermont winger Alivereti Raka is overwhelmed by Christian Wade, author of a test for Racing 92, on November 27, 2022 in Nanterre © Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP / Archives

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Toulouse in search of meaning

Two defeats interspersed with a draw: for a month, Stade Toulouse (1st, 35 pts) has stalled.

As a result, his pursuers point the tip of their noses.

The arrival of Usap (13th, 18 pts), which has not won away for almost a year, is therefore timely for the blood-hungry Red and Black.

But the Toulouse infirmary is still full: from Cyril Baille (hematoma) to Thinaud Flament (concussion), via Melvyn Jaminet (ankle) or François Cros (rehabilitation), the teammates of Antoine Dupont, who returns from suspension and applies so on Saturday, lick their wounds.

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Paris to "get your head back"

Watch out, ambitions.

After three games without a win, including a setback in front of Toulon (17-12) "which hurt", according to the Parisian third line Mathieu Hirigoyen, the French Stadium wants to "get their heads back".

Stade Français players struggle to stop Toulonnais Brian Alainnu'uese during the match played in Paris on November 26, 2022 © Thomas SAMSON / AFP/Archives

"It's going to be important to win to stay in the right car, we've prepared for it," assured rear coach Julien Arias before the shock against La Rochelle (2nd, 31 pts).

The reigning European champion remains on two successes, including a demonstration in front of Castres (53-7), and arrives in the capital with his steamroller-like armada.

"There is the pack but there is also the three-quarter line: it's a very, very complete team. We know their power. It's one of the best defenses, one of the best attacks in the championship... They are not European champions for nothing," insisted Arias.

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Toulon dreams Biggar

Premiere night?

Welsh international Dan Biggar (33, 103 caps) was presented midweek and could discover Mayol on Sunday with the arrival of Racing 92 (3rd, 31 pts).

Well recovered from his knee injury, the opener seems to hold the rope to replace Ihaia West in the hinge of Toulon (7th, 26 pts).

It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to allow the RCT to continue after its success against the Parisian neighbors (17-12).

The Parisians, they remain on a success outside, in Brive, in the middle of a series of four successes in a row.

Opener Dan Biggar aligned by Wales against France, March 11, 2022 in Cardiff, will strengthen RC Toulon in the Top 14 © Adrian DENNIS / AFP / Archives

"Something very difficult awaits us," warned Racing manager Laurent Travers.

"It's going to be a big shock everywhere: they have qualities behind, they are strong in front ...", abounded its opener Antoine Gibert.

In the other meetings of the day, Castres (12th, 21 pts) will try to get back in the direction of travel against Pau (9th, 24 pts) after two losses in a row, while Bayonne (8th, 25 pts) will want continue to surprise the "big guys" with the arrival of Lyon (4th, 29 pts).

Finally, Bordeaux-Bègles (11th, 21 pts) will try to revive in front of the Brive red lantern (14th, 13 pts).

© 2022 AFP