RC Vannes makes its return to the Top 14 on Sept. 5 with an immediate test on the road against Castres Olympique at Stade Pierre-Fabre.
Vannes spent just one season outside France's top division after being relegated following the 2024-25 campaign. The club responded by finishing first in Pro D2 during the 2025-26 regular season before defeating Provence Rugby 18-14 in the final to earn promotion. Castres, meanwhile, enters the new season looking to return to the Top 14 playoffs after finishing 10th in 2025-26 with an 11-15 record.
The clubs last shared the Top 14 during Vannes' first season in the competition in 2024-25, and the home team won both meetings. Vannes defeated Castres 34-28 before Castres answered with a 32-13 victory at Stade Pierre-Fabre. Now, Castres opens its 2026-27 campaign at home while Vannes begins its attempt to turn its latest promotion into a longer stay in the Top 14.
Castres vs. Vannes Kickoff Time, Lineups
Castres and Vannes kick off at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Stade Pierre-Fabre in Castres, France, in Round 1 of the 2026-27 Top 14 season.
How To Watch Castres vs. Vannes
Castres vs. Vannes will stream live on FloRugby in the United States. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Castres Lineup vs. Vannes
Starting XV
Loîs Guérois-Galisson, loosehead prop
Teddy Durand, hooker
Will Collier, tighthead prop
Gauthier Maravat, lock
Florent Vanverberghe, lock
Baptiste Delaporte, flanker
Kyllian Ringuet, flanker
Hamish Watson, No. 8
Santiago Arata, scrum-half
Louis Le Brun, fly-half
Rémy Baget, wing
Jack Goodhue, center
Taylor Gontineac, center
Adam Vargas, wing
Théo Chabouni, fullback
Replacements
Loris Zarantonello
Quentin Walcker
Mathieu Babillot
Abraham Papali'i
Jérémy Fernandez
Théo Vidal
Adrea Cocagi
Nicolas Corato
Vannes Lineup vs. Castres
Starting XV
Wayan de Benedittis, loosehead prop
Dave Cherry, hooker
Santiago Medrano, tighthead prop
Matías Alemanno, lock
Mattéo Desjeux, lock
Simon Augry, flanker
Francisco Gorrissen, flanker
Sione Kalamafoni, No. 8
Michael Ruru, scrum-half
Maxime Lafage, fly-half
Nathanaël Hulleu, wing
Ray Nu'u, center
Pierre Boudehent, center
Paul Surano, wing
Anthony Bouthier, fullback
Replacements
Mills Sanerivi
Hugo Djehi
Timothé Mézou
Joe Edwards
Ioane Iashagashvili
Romain Valentin
Ben Stevenson
Sione Mafileo
How To Watch FloRugby
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