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Nine matches into the season and we've seen plenty of ups and downs for clubs. With all of the players returning from the world cup, I think this is a good time to update everyone on what's been going on if you haven't been keeping an eye on the Top 14. Newly promoted sides Lyon and Bordeaux-Bègles needed good starts to their campaigns and have been struggling despite other clubs missing most of their top players. To add to their misery, Brive and Agen are playing fairly well, so it will be a struggle to stay up.
Biarritz currently sit at the bottom of the table, but with their world cup stars returning and injuries no longer an issue we should see them climb. One big win could turn their season around and this weekend's derby with Bayonne is the perfect opportunity to start things up.
Racing Métro had an excellent start to their campaign, but have struggled with poor form from several players over the past few weeks. With this drop, the Once again, Jonathan Wisniewski has been a rock for them, but aging players like Bobo and especially Chabal haven't been up to par. Henry Chavancy has shown to be an important piece to any success and will need to remain consistent throughout the season. Perhaps their massive away win last weekend over Castres will be the turnaround they need
Montpellier has also struggled, but considering that the majority of their usual starting XV were out during the world cup, this was not a big surprise. They will need to turn things around quickly and, like Biarritz, this week's fixture hands them the perfect opportunity to do so when they face Lyon.
Stade Français and Perpignan have failed to make much of an impact after having disappointing campaigns last season. However, current situations for both clubs are entirely different. The Parisian club's performances are being brought down by some of their poor player investments such as Kelleher and Milloud, just to name a few, combined with other players that the club should have let go during their big clearance event. Perpignan's current struggles can be attributed to loss of confidence, let down by some of their top youngsters. Also, like many, they were missing key players during the world cup and will be impatient to get them back on the team.
Castres and Clermont stand out the most this season. Castres invested well in new players this off season after losing their captain and remain a force at home despite their first loss there this past weekend. Clermont on the other hand is loaded with talent and look set to compete for their second ever Brennus Shield and the Heineken Cup. Bringing in players like Benjamin Kayser, Gerhard Vosloo, Daniel Kotze and Regan King has paid off incredibly well. It should be noted that Kotze arrived this summer from Aurillac in Pro D2 and the club still has a few diamonds in the rough to be pulled out. Castres currently sit in third place, while Clermont are at the top of the table.
Toulouse and Toulon have played up to expectations this season as they sit second and fourth respectively. Both teams have seen standouts among some interesting young players and new arrivals that I have listed below in my best XV so far.
15 Jérôme Porical (Perpignan)
14 Wesley Fofana (Clermont)
13 Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse)
12 Regan King (Clermont)
11 Timoci Matanavu (Toulouse)
10 Luke McAlister (Toulouse)
9 Mathieu Belie (Brive)
8 Gerhard Vosloo (Clermont)
7 Chris Masoe (Castres)
6 Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse)
5 Yoann Maestri (Toulouse)
4 Jocelino Suta (Toulon)
3 Karena Wihongi (Castres)
2 Benjamin Kayser (Clermont)
1 Lionel Faure (Clermont)
Biarritz currently sit at the bottom of the table, but with their world cup stars returning and injuries no longer an issue we should see them climb. One big win could turn their season around and this weekend's derby with Bayonne is the perfect opportunity to start things up.
Racing Métro had an excellent start to their campaign, but have struggled with poor form from several players over the past few weeks. With this drop, the Once again, Jonathan Wisniewski has been a rock for them, but aging players like Bobo and especially Chabal haven't been up to par. Henry Chavancy has shown to be an important piece to any success and will need to remain consistent throughout the season. Perhaps their massive away win last weekend over Castres will be the turnaround they need
Montpellier has also struggled, but considering that the majority of their usual starting XV were out during the world cup, this was not a big surprise. They will need to turn things around quickly and, like Biarritz, this week's fixture hands them the perfect opportunity to do so when they face Lyon.
Stade Français and Perpignan have failed to make much of an impact after having disappointing campaigns last season. However, current situations for both clubs are entirely different. The Parisian club's performances are being brought down by some of their poor player investments such as Kelleher and Milloud, just to name a few, combined with other players that the club should have let go during their big clearance event. Perpignan's current struggles can be attributed to loss of confidence, let down by some of their top youngsters. Also, like many, they were missing key players during the world cup and will be impatient to get them back on the team.
Castres and Clermont stand out the most this season. Castres invested well in new players this off season after losing their captain and remain a force at home despite their first loss there this past weekend. Clermont on the other hand is loaded with talent and look set to compete for their second ever Brennus Shield and the Heineken Cup. Bringing in players like Benjamin Kayser, Gerhard Vosloo, Daniel Kotze and Regan King has paid off incredibly well. It should be noted that Kotze arrived this summer from Aurillac in Pro D2 and the club still has a few diamonds in the rough to be pulled out. Castres currently sit in third place, while Clermont are at the top of the table.
Toulouse and Toulon have played up to expectations this season as they sit second and fourth respectively. Both teams have seen standouts among some interesting young players and new arrivals that I have listed below in my best XV so far.
15 Jérôme Porical (Perpignan)
14 Wesley Fofana (Clermont)
13 Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse)
12 Regan King (Clermont)
11 Timoci Matanavu (Toulouse)
10 Luke McAlister (Toulouse)
9 Mathieu Belie (Brive)
8 Gerhard Vosloo (Clermont)
7 Chris Masoe (Castres)
6 Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse)
5 Yoann Maestri (Toulouse)
4 Jocelino Suta (Toulon)
3 Karena Wihongi (Castres)
2 Benjamin Kayser (Clermont)
1 Lionel Faure (Clermont)
