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Week 5 of the Top 14 takes place on Saturday and Sunday. Early signs are that making predictions for the play-off’s would be premature. Grenoble and Perpignan are the bottom two and winless. Their clash in Week 5 will change this with Toulon in danger of dropping into the relegation zone.
The opening match will see struggling Bordeaux playing host to top of the table Clermont. Named to start for the first time this season for Clermont is Patricio Fernández. He will play at fly half. He has the credentials to play at RWC 2019 and is a player to keep a close eye on this season.
On the Atlantic coast La Rochelle entertain the in-form Lyon. The visitors have named two Pumas in their 23 for the match. Manuel Carizza will start in the second-row while Francisco Gomez Kodela is to feature as Lyon’s replacement Tight Head.
The opening rounds have seen Toulon failing to live up to their reputation. At home on Saturday the club will have a prime opportunity at a big win when they host Agen. Facundo Isa remains injured for Toulon though there will be a Puma playing with Facundo Bosch starting at hooker. Flying the flag for Colombia will be Andrés Zafra who starts in the second-row. Also involved is Dave Ryan, a player eligible to play for the USA. He will feature from the bench.
In Saturday’s final match Racing 92 play host to reigning champions Castres in Paris. There is to be a Puma in either side with Juan Imhoff playing left wing for the Parisians and Benjamín Urdapilleta at fly half for Castres.
Week 5 will conclude on Sunday. Pau and Montpellier are to have home advantage against Stade Français and Toulouse respectively. Line-up’s for both matches will be named on Saturday afternoon. Having featured regularly in the Team of the Week Ramiro Herrera is now in the Pumas squad. He will, however, play for Stade Français this weekend before reuniting with Argentina in Buenos Aires.
