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It’s the final week of the first half of the French Top 14 season, and there are two teams in position to claim the top spot pending the results of the weekend. The opening match on Friday saw Racing 92 defeat Toulouse 23-19, it guarantees a top four placing for the Parisian club heading into the second half of the season. Manuel Carizza came on as a lock replacement for Racing.
The other six games will all be played on Saturday. Current leaders La Rochelle have a two point advantage as they travel to Bordeaux. No Americas players will take part in that match but Francisco Gómez Kodela starts at tighthead prop for Lyon at Montpellier, with the home side capable of jumping to the top if they emerge victorious and the Rochelais struggle on the road.
Front rowers Facundo Bosch and Dave Ryan are reserves for Agen as they host Brive at Stade Armandie in a battle of two teams fighting for survival. Meanwhile Benjamín Urdapilleta will guide Castres as they host an underwhelming Stade Français side that has Ramiro Herrera left on the bench.
A star-studded Toulon host Oyonnax at Félix Mayol in what is a terrible mismatch on paper. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe starts on the flank for the home side with Samu Manoa pegged as an impact sub this week. Axel Müller will do his best to stem the tide on the wing for the visitors against the team he is being loaned out from.
