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Starting off week 14 of this season’s Top 14 competition will be a match in Paris this evening. In what is to be the only Friday fixture Stade Français will host Brive in a match in which they need to win. The reigning champions are down in 11th, five places below the over performing Brive. The Gonzalo Quesada coached side will feature the Argentine-Italian Sergio Parisse on the bench.
In the first over five Saturday matches Uruguayan veteran Rodrigo Capó Ortega will captain the Castres who host Clermont. Joining the former Teros second-rower will be Puma Benjamin Urdapilleta who will play fly half.
A derby in Bordeaux on Saturday will see the in-form Bordeaux-Begles taking-on the bottom of the table Agen. Starting at tighthead prop will be Francisco Goméz Kodela. The USA eligible Dave Ryan will feature from the bench for Agen.
Playing away to Montpellier will be Pau who will feature Juan Pablo Orlandi in the run-on side at tighthead prop. Orlandi is to be one of two Pumas involved with Santiago Fernández having been named on the bench. While being 12th, Pau cannot sit comfortably as they are just six points outside of the relegation zone.
Playing away to Grenoble on Saturday the in-form Racing 92 will be looking for a win on the road to boost their title chances. Named to start are Pumas Manuel Carizza and Juan Imhoff. Both have been playing in France for many years but are yet to obtain silverware. Previously Carriza won the Currie Cup with Western Province.
La Rochelle will be buzzing on Saturday evening. The home match against Toulouse is an official sell out and is an opportunity at knocking-over the former giants of French rugby. Starting in the second-row will be the Argentine-Italian Leandro Cedaro. He will be up against former Pumas vice-captain Patricio Albacete.
Rounding-off the fixtures will be a Sunday match in the small town of Oyonnax. The venue has proven to be a difficult place for visitors with the elements often getting the better of teams. The lineups for both Oyonnax and Toulon are to be named on Saturday.
