3 Matches To Watch In Top 14 Round 12
3 Matches To Watch In Top 14 Round 12
Top 14 Round 12 returns after European play with key matchups featuring Toulouse, Pau, Lyon and Bordeaux as French clubs regroup and chase league momentum.
After last weekend’s European competition shakeups, Top 14 teams return home looking for skill-sharpening, confidence-boosting matches.
The Top 14 enters Round 12 with Toulouse and Pau sitting atop the table, each with eight wins and three losses. Just two points separate them, with Toulouse on 39 points and Pau on 37. Toulon, Stade Francais and Bayonne round out the top five behind the leaders.
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Based on recent results, European Rugby standings have not reflected the overall strength of France’s top clubs. Glasgow defeated Toulouse 28-21 on Saturday, preventing Toulouse from claiming the No. 1 spot in Pool 1. Pau, meanwhile, has lost both of its Champions Cup matches and sits last in Pool 4.
Bordeaux-Begles, on the other hand, shares the top spot in Pool 4 with Northampton, earning 10 points from its first two matches. That momentum could help propel Bordeaux up the Top 14 table from its current No. 6 position.
This return to domestic play is vital for French teams as they regroup ahead of the resumption of European competition on the weekend of Jan. 9. Here are three Top 14 must-watch matches this week.
Montauban vs. Pau — Dec. 20 at 10:35 a.m. ET
Pau has dropped its last two European matches, falling 35-27 to Northampton and 61-12 to Bristol. In need of a confidence-boosting win, Pau may find an opportunity against Montauban. Another loss, however, could further dent morale.
Montauban has also struggled in European play, losing 33-22 to the Ospreys and 41-17 to Zebre. Still, a return to domestic competition presents a chance to reset, and this matchup offers an opportunity to take advantage of a powerful opponent searching for form.
Lyon vs. Toulouse — Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. ET
Toulouse opened Champions Cup play with a dominant 56-19 win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks. In Round 2, Antoine Dupont made his first start since returning, and Toulouse controlled the first half before conceding four unanswered tries in a 28-21 loss to Glasgow, which cost them the top spot in Pool 1.
Lyon enters the match after a narrow 23-21 loss to the Dragons, who scored a late try to seal the result. The frustration from that defeat could provide extra motivation, as Lyon looks to capitalize on Toulouse’s transitional phase.
Bordeaux-Begles vs. Toulon — Dec. 21 at 3:05 p.m. ET
Toulon produced an upset last weekend with a 45-34 victory over Bath, opening up Champions Cup Pool 2. Bath remains atop the pool, but just one point separates all four teams.
Bordeaux-Begles has been dominant in Pool 4, defeating the Bulls 46-33 and the Scarlets 50-21 to share first place with Northampton. Currently sixth in the Top 14, Bordeaux has a chance to break into the top five this weekend. A win over Toulon would significantly boost its standing, and with both teams riding recent success, this matchup carries major implications.
European Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby
Rugby fans can stream every match from the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship on FloRugby, along with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, making the platform the U.S. home for the world’s biggest club competitions and the game’s top players.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
- United Rugby Championship
- PREM Rugby
- Top 14
- Investec Champions Cup
- EPCR Challenge Cup
- Currie Cup
- Super Rugby
- And more
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.