From what I've seen in Europe. Clermont look easily the
couilles du chien 
of French rugby they look far superior to Toulon. I see that Toulon are top of the league and Clermont second - how are they both playing? Clermont traditionally struggle away from home do they not, is that the story this year?
I think if I had to choose a favourite French team I'd go for Clermont, they play some really lovely stuff and they have Fofana and Abendanon who are two of my favourites, not to mention Julien Bonnaire who has the Frenchest-sounding name in the world.
One of the things that impress me the most about this Clermont side is their consistency, and that on the road as well. Going over to some club's fortress, the hostile environment of even the "smaller clubs" (Oyonnax, La Rochelle...), and still being able to come out with points each time, and winning away like that, for the intensity of this league that's just special. Even last year they wouldn't do it quite like this season.
Toulon will make the argument they would be just as consistent; just they've had the most turmoil lineup wise in possibly all of Europe. They're lucky enough they're rich as hell and their procurement department is amazing that when Giteau and la Mich go down they can just go and get themselves a battle-ready Nicolas Sanchez, one of the top 10's in the world.
I see what you're saying as a neutral who's watched Toulon and then Clermont over a few weekends in the Euro Cup. Clermont, as I've just elucidated in my previous post, look flawless. They just really do. Everything they do (both Top 14 and Euro) is perfectly measured, efficient and intelligently weighed - from lineup rotation to defensive schemes and attacking direction.
I'd say this season looks a whole lot again like 2013 (rather than last year, 2014). Clermont are overwhelming golden warriors and Toulon look like the dangerous red and black pirates with a nasty attitude. Right now, they're both crazy good tbh, the Tigers and Munster this weekend were not bad teams, *at all* - they were just disconcertingly easily outplayed. Both scores should've been heaps higher for the home team, too.
They're just too brilliantly coached and conditioned, and whatever they have on the roster, you'll be sure they'll squeeze almost everything out of, as opposed to other clubs who aren't getting the best out of their guys collectively.
But back to the Top 14 season:
it'll come as a surprise to you that Toulon lead the league in tries scored (367 points and
44 tries in 12 games) vs Clermont's 3rd place 312pts and 29 tries. (Bordeaux second,
Tony ).
Defensively though, the table shifts: Clermont first and Toulon third (Montpellier is 2nd, surprisingly..).
Record wise, they're identical:
5W and 1L at home, and 3W and 3L away.
An important 'ingredient' is Toulon hasn't had its major slip this year and doesn't look like they will - Clermont got
demolistroyed in Bordeaux (51-21 - 6 tries to 2). Flashes of the "choking" reputation, the tries piling up, piling up...almost reminiscent of the Sarries games last year. So perhaps that weak fiber still is deeply planted somewhere in Clermont's DNA, where Toulon *always* come through and don't shy away from big moments.
Was he ever dubbed the new O'Gara or are you saying he's not cut out for European rugby like O'Gara? Because 27 year old Keatley isn't a patch on 27 year old O'Gara... or 32 year old O'Gara!
