The day after Easter is meant to be an exciting time: flowers bloom, weather improves, spirits rise. For rugby teams, Spring dives into the heart of the rugby season coming off of the ever exciting Six Nations tournament. In an homage to the winner of the RBS Six Nations 2010, Spring 2010 starts in France with the Top 14.
Top 14 Rugby is the professional rugby union league of France. Operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), Top 14 rugby runs from August through June. Like most professional rugby leagues, the contests between the teams are known as rounds, with the Top 14 having 26 rounds.
For those who know, French rugby is highly physical and competitive. To say the players are skilled is to undervalue what they can do. Beyond the French players, the Top 14 attracts international players of the highest caliber, such as the England National Team leader Johnny Wilkinson, playing for Toulon.
It can be difficult to follow Top 14, but the best thing for new fans is to dive right in and track a team. Recent action will easily assist and deepen fan interest.
The past weekend, Johnny Wilkinson was key in helping Toulon secure a playoff berth with their 16th win of the season. In his typical fashion, Wilkinson’s foot movement was key as he scored three tries.
More exciting than this however was the clash between Perpignan and Castres. Both teams have been battling it out for the top spot, and while Wilkinson’s Toulon momentarily held the top spot, Perpignan’s 17 – 11 victory over Castres put them back in the leader position fending off not only Toulon and Castres, but also Clermont.
And the drama of playoff teams is here as Biarritz and Brive are making final pushes for the final playoff spots. Biarritz look good to advance after Montauban’s 42 – 13 loss. Brive, meanwhile, helped themselves by posting a win over Bourgoin-Jallieu, 25 – 15.
This weekend, Clermont has the first shot of making their case, playing Castres on Friday.
Spring in France, not a bad way to follow up an exciting Six Nations championship!
Upcoming Fixtures:
Friday, April 16
19:45 Clermont Auvergne v. Castres
Saturday, April 17 Time Match
13:30 Sporting club Albigeois v. Stade Francais
13:30 Bourgoin-Jallieu v. Toulouse
13:30 Montauban TG15 v. Montpellier RC
15:25 RC Toulon v. Perpignan
15:30 Aviron Bayonnais v. CA Brive
19:45 Métro - Racing Club de France v. Biarritz Olympique
Current Standings, with points:
1. Perpignan - 75
2. RC Toulon - 72
3. Castres - 72
4. Clermont Auvergne - 70
5. Toulouse - 69
6. Métro - Racing Club de France - 60
7. Biarritz Olympique - 57
8. CA Brive - 57
9. Stade Francais - 53
10. Montpellier RC - 47
11. Montauban TG15 - 45
12. Bourgoin-Jallieu - 45
13. Aviron Bayonnais - 43
14. Sporting club Albigeois - 20
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