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France’s premier league, the Top 14 returns this weekend. Following two rounds of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup clubs are now back to focusing on gaining league points. Week 8 is to be a 5-2 split with five matches taking place on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Toulon receive Brive to open Week 8. They do so with Samu Manoa starting at No 8 and Facundo Isa doing so at flanker. Manoa is back at the right time as he gains valuable game time ahead of the USA’s tests against Germany and Georgia. Also involved will be veteran Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe. The former Pumas captain has been named as a replacement.
In Paris Racing 92 host Bordeaux. Still out through injury is Juan Imhoff. The Parisians will nonetheless have a Pumas representative as Manuel Carizza is to feature from the bench.
One of Argentina’s positions of concern in 2017 has been Tight Head prop. Taking to the field in Lyon will be Francisco Gomez Kodela, one of the best players in the position in the Top 14. The Argentine will start against Oyonnax.
Week 8’s Sunday matches see Castres hosting Agen and La Rochelle receiving Toulouse. Line-ups for both fixtures are to be named on Saturday afternoon.
