No time to rest in France as the Top 14 kicks off in just a couple of weeks LIVE on FloRugby.

Already the teams are in action, getting their preseason games in and the returns say ... well they say that preseason games don't necessarily mean much. Last year's #2 team, Bayonne, lost to Angoulême before beating Pau. Biarritz has gone 2-0 but with very close wins over teams that were in Pro D2 in 2017-18, and Beziers, 17-12-1 last season, is 0-2.

But it's all about trying things, and it's worth noting that Racing 92 defeated an Argentina XV  last weekend while Lyon, which had the best record in the regular season last year, is a convincing 2-0.

Top scorer Toby Arnold said to the local press that it's important to get a good start for the team, because the Lyonnaise remember losing in the semis and missing out on a spot in the final. It's that, not having the best record in the regular season, that stays with them.

Bayonne's defense looked a bit better last week against Pau, enough to encourage most observers that club will be back contending this year. 

Keep an eye on Toulouse, as well. If Academy player David Ainuu earns a cap with the USA, he could be in line to see some first-side action at some points.

This weekend, Toulon takes on Clermont Auvergne, Lyon faces newly-promoted Grenoble, La Rochell played Stade Francais, and Racing 92 plays newly-promoted Perpignan.

Meanwhile, others are playing out of league, with Bordeaux-Begles playing the Sharks in Durban, South Africa and defending champion Castres playing the Canadian national team (playing as Canada Selects). This is not a full Canada side, but it's close.

French Top 14 Live coverage on FloRugby kicks off August 25.