rgby#Top14 #Rugby preview thread for j5. Saturday starts off at 14:30 with Montepellier hosting La Rochelle. Motpellier weren't impressive with their draw against Montauban and La Rochelle weren't either for their win against Perpignan. Was expecting more from Montpellier after their great win against Toulouse. I have to believe the home team advantage won't be enough for this one so La Rochelle are the favorites for this one.
Next Clermont host Montauban at 16:35. A match between the 12th place and 13th place. On the other end of the season this would be a high stakes match. Right now it's a chance for both teams to get a much needed win. For Montauban they still don't have any while Clermont haven't had the number of wins to match their ability. If Clermont don't manage to screw this one up the visitors will still be looking for a win next week. Montauban might like their chances for this one
At 16:35 Racing visit Castres. Opposite ends of the table. Racing will look to continue their good form so far this season. Castres will look to steady the ship. They lost badly last week but that was against a reawakened Toulouse side. They have to shrug that off to have a chance at beating the team from Paris
Toulon host Pau at 16:35 for a match between teams that both have high aspirations this season. Pau have had a great start to the season, they are currently second and they will surely like their chances in this game to keep it going. But Toulon have a strong team and will fight hard, especially at home. I really can't call this one but it should be fun to watch
16:35 Perpignan host Stade Francais. It's been a terrible start for the season so for for the Catalan side and the punishment for last week's disorder won't be helping. Will they be able to turn it around and put them on a positive track? Not likely against the Parisian visitors. They've been playing well so far this season and they'll surely believe this is a kind of game they have to win to reach the top of the league
Last game of the day at 21:00, UBB take on Lyon. The visitors lost last week but they're still close to the top while UBB lost in a bad game. At home UBB are a different beast but last time UBB hosted Lyon they lost so maybe this time UBB won't be able to bounce back. Lyon will surely like their chances
Sunday at 21:05 Bayonne host Toulouse. Both teams have the same number of wins so far and Bayonne managed to win a few close ones. If Toulouse can get their game on and pull ahead Bayonne will have a hard time. But if the home team can stay close they could manage to get a valuable win against the team at the top