Twenty-six rounds of toil for French Rugby’s elite all culminate in three rounds of high-stakes knockout rugby for the top six sides in the Top 14. 

Veering away from the standard top eight quarterfinal format, the Top 14 play-offs see six teams progress. 

Of these six teams, the top two sides get a bye round and automatic progression to the semi-finals. 

This season Toulouse and La Rochelle finished in 1^st and 2^nd, respectively, on the table and, as such, will feature in the semi-finals. 

Joining them will be Parisian team Racing 92, who defeated crosstown rivals Stade Français 33 – 20 in their barrage (quarterfinal) on Saturday. 

They will now face Toulouse in a semi-final clash on Friday, June 9^th, with kick-off taking place at 3 pm Eastern Time. 

In the second semi-final, La Rochelle will face Bordeaux-Begles, who defeated Lyon 32 – 25 in their barrage clash. 

The back-to-back Heineken Champions Cup winners La Rochelle are on a hot run of form this season and will look to complete a historic double by winning both the Top 14 and Champions Cup. 

Kick-off for the second semi-final will be on Saturday, June 10^th at 11 am Eastern Time. 

Team Backgrounds

Toulouse Rugby

Twenty-one-time French champions and five-time European champions Toulouse are unrivalled as the most successful European Rugby club. Winning their last title in 2021, the team, which is led by arguably the best player in the world in Antoine Dupont, will be looking to right the wrongs of the 2022 season. 

Star player – Antione Dupont

La Rochelle Rugby

Reigning back-to-back Heineken Champions Cup winners, La Rochelle, are one of the more remarkable stories in professional rugby. Winning promotion to the Top 14 in 2014, they are a new face at the top table of professional rugby. Coached by former Munster and Ireland legend Ronan O’Gara, Les Maritimes embody a family spirit within the club. Their loyal supporters fill out their home stadium, the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, every game day. Whilst they are yet to claim a French title, they were runners-up in the 2020/21 season. 

Star player – Will Skelton 

The @staderochelais coaches with an all-time celebration in the coaches' box! #LEIvLAR #staderochelais #heinekenchampionscup pic.twitter.com/eTEHM4Wfky

— FloRugby (@FloRugby) May 20, 2023

Bordeaux-Begles Rugby

The 6^th place team on this season’s table, Bordeaux upset 3^rd place Lyon in the Barrage to take one step closer to a first-ever French title. Whilst Bordeaux-Begles are yet to win a title, Stade Bordelais and CA Bordeaux-Begles, the two clubs that preceded them, have won nine titles between them. Boasting several world-class players in their squad, Bordeaux have the potential to beat any team on their day but have shown a lack of consistency this season. 

Star player – Mathieu Jalibert 

Matthieu Jalibert with a MONSTER of a kick to win it at the death! ☄️🎯

Bordeaux Begles have clinched their first-ever #HeinekenChampionsCup semi-final spot! 👏 pic.twitter.com/kJUekmHL3W

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 11, 2021

Racing 92 Rugby

Glitz and glamour, Racing 92 epitomizes the city they represent. Formerly reserved for the exclusive French aristocratic community. One of two Paris-based sides in the Top 14, the men in blue and white, are bursting at the seams with quality players. Pulling the strings masterfully is Scotland international Finn Russell, who will depart the team at the end of the season. Whilst Russell has been the main attraction since joining in 2018, the team possesses international players in every position. Yet, despite all their quality, they have not won a title since 2016. Given their immense talent, it would not be a shock if they manage to go all the way this season. 

Star player – Finn Russell

Los Pumas star Juan Imhoff shows incredible strength to get Racing92 over the line for a second try in the Top 14 quarterfinal! 🔵⚪️🔥#Top14 #stadefrancais #racing92 #top14quarterfinals #FrenchRugby pic.twitter.com/e1EvElU3NN

— FloRugby (@FloRugby) June 3, 2023

Where To Watch Top 14 Rugby Semi-finals

North American and US Territories Rugby fans can catch all the action live and exclusively on the FloSports app. 

Should you miss the live-action replays for both fixtures will be available on FloRugby.