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Week 22 of the Top 14 season will take place over Saturday, and Sunday in France. With places in the play-off’s up for grabs teams have plenty to play for. This is added to by the relegation picture with survival very much the priority of many.
Opening week 22 will be Bordeaux vs Castres. Both teams are to feature a Pumas player who is on track to play in RWC 2019. Named on the bench for Bordeaux is Mariano Galarza who is officially Argentina’s leading second-rower presently playing in Europe. Involved for Castres will be Benjamín Urdapilleta as the starting fly half.
In Paris Stade Français host Agen. The hosts are looking to get back into the play-off’s zone while the visitors are trying to remain where they are – outside of the relegation zone. Starting for the Parisians will be former Jaguares fly half Nicolás Sánchez, and tight head prop Ramiro Herrera. Doing so for Agen will be Colombian Andrés Zafra.
The in-form Lyon will be banking on further competition points when they play host to bottom placed Perpignan. Starting at tight head prop will be Francisco Gómez Kodela, one of Argentina’s best players in the scrum.
Fellow Argentine prop Ignacio Calles will feature for Pau. Both he and Canadian Matt Tierney have been named on the bench for Pau who play away to La Rochelle. Earlier in the week Tierney signed a new contract to remain with Pau until 2022.
Grenoble will be at home against former giants Toulon. They will need a strong performance to boost their chances of avoiding relegation. Toulon, meanwhile, will be out to gain the maximum points. They go into the game with Argentina’s Facundo Isa named to start at flanker.
On Sunday Racing 92 are at home against Montpellier in Paris. Starting on the left wing for the hosts will be Juan Imhoff. Despite the club’s excellent Top 14 season it is behind both Toulouse, and Clermont. They face-off in Sunday’s other fixture.
