1. Toulouse - 71 points
Remaining fixtures: Bordeaux (h), Perpignan (a), Brive (h)
Toulouse are the only side currently to have officially qualified for the end-of-season play-offs. Their target now, regardless of yesterday’s defeat in Dublin, is to make sure they finish in the top two, and win a bye week to the semi-finals in San Sebastian. With two home matches out of their last three, the odds are very much in their favour.
2. La Rochelle - 70
Remaining fixtures: Toulon (a), Montpellier (a), Stade Francais (h)
Last year’s Champions Cup was nothing like enough for La Rochelle. Ronan O’Gara and his squad want it all. Exeter Chiefs this afternoon is their first challenge. Then they resume their fight for a play-off place, and – like Toulouse – seek a bye to the last four.
Their route isn’t as straightforward as the 2021 double winners, but it would probably be foolish to bet against them.
3. Stade Francais - 64
Remaining fixtures: Clermont (a), Lyon (h), La Rochelle (a)
Gonzalo Quesada, in the closing weeks of his second stint in charge at Stade Jean Bouin, is doing all he can to ensure it finishes as successfully as his first, with a title. The truth is, he’s already exceeded expectations this season. Laurent Labit and Karim Ghezal have some big shoes to fill when they join the club after the World Cup.
4. Bordeaux - 58
Remaining fixtures: Toulouse (a), Pau (h), Toulon (a)
Bordeaux – a side awaiting a new coach in Yannick Bru – face a tough end of season fixture list. With current joint interim head coaches
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
