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Week 26 of the Top 14 is the final round of the regular season. For this very reason all seven matches are to be played simultaneously. It is to ensure that no team goes into their match knowing the mathematical requirements they face.
Only two clubs know their fate – Montpellier and Brive. Montpellier are regular season winners and assured of a place in the Semi Finals, skipping the Barrage weekend. Brive are not so fortunate. As guaranteed 14th placed finishers they have been relegated to the Pro D2.
The winner of Sunday’s Pro D2 Final will trade places with Brive. Perpignan and Grenoble square off in Toulouse with the loser having a second shot at being promoted. The losing finalist will face the 13th placed Top 14 side which is to be either Stade Français or Oyonnax.
Meanwhile two spots remain in the play-offs. Montpellier, Racing 92, Toulouse, and Toulon have all qualified. Requiring wins this weekend and results to go their way are Castres, La Rochelle, Lyon, and Pau.
Benjamín Urdapilleta will hope to kick Castres to success against Oyonnax, with club captain Rodrigo Capó Ortega named among the reserves. At Lyon there is sure to be a scrum battle with Francisco Gómez Kodela at tighthead prop against the visiting Montpellier.
His countryman Ramiro Herrera will line up in the same spot for Stade Français as they head to La Rochelle. Sergio Parisse leads the side at No8. Starting at the back of the scrum for Toulon is Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, with Samu Manoa on the bench to face Pau.
Two Pumas will play for Racing 92 when they host Agen. Manuel Carizza starts at lock and Juan Imhoff on the left wing. The heavyweight match at Marcel Michelin sees Clermont hosting Toulouse. Patricio Fernández is named as a replacement for the home side.
