Third-place La Rochelle head to leaders Clermont on Sunday looking for their first ever win at Stade Marcel Michelin in more than 60 years of matches in the pick of this weekend's Top 14 action.

See Clermont v La Rochelle LIVE on FloRugby Sunday

Jonno Gibbes' team have never tasted victory at Clermont in 16 attempts dating back to 1956 and the hosts' impressive recent form suggests the record is set to continue.

Despite a long injury list including former All Black Isaia Toeava and France prop Rabah Slimiani, Franck Azema's Clermont side are unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions this season.

The league's most potent attack with 419 points in 13 games can count on the free-flowing New Zealander in Peter Betham who has dotted down on seven occasions and the pinpoint boot of Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw who is three points from crossing the century benchmark for the campaign. 

However, the visitors are six points from top spot for a reason having only lost once since September in a period where New Zealander Gibbes has taken over the reins at Stade Marcel-Deflandre joining fellow countrymen who have stood out on the field recently in Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Ihaia West.

Elsewhere, in the opening round of the new years Racing 92 and Toulon meet in Paris on Saturday after both conceded more than 35 points in humiliating thumpings last weekend.

© Agence France-Presse