2023/24 French Top14 analysis: Part 1/2

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Top 14 Match on October 2, 2021

 FEATURE: Essential 2023/24 French Top14 analysis before the competition kicks off this week. 

Last Word on Rugby contributor Larissa Falls has done a ‘deep dive’ to bring you the most comprehensive guide for the 2023/24 season, analysing all 14 competing teams.

2023/24 French Top 14 analysis: Part 1 of 2

Part 1 of 2 is below:

Aviron Bayonnais (Bayonne)

Last Season finishing place: 8th

Departures: Chris Talakai, Luka Tchelidze, Torsten Van Jaarsveld, Geoffrey Cridge, Jean Monribot, Afa Amosa, Mateaki Kafatolu, Oj Noa, Robin Dione, Michael Ruru, Jason Robertson, Yann David, Marland Yarde, Teiva Jacquelain, Arthur Duhau, Martin Bogado

Arrivals: Luke Tagi, Vincent Giudicelli, Lucas Paulos, Remi Bourdeau, Arthur Iturria, Rodrigo Bruni, Gela Aprasidze, Frederico Mori, Kaminieli Rasaku, Reece Hodge, Aurelien Callandret, Cheikh Tiberghien

RWC Joker: Apisalome Ratuniyarawa

Weakness: Reliance. The Basque club lacks strength in depth across multiple positions and has, for too long, relied on too few players to keep them propped up in the Top 14. Last season five of the top 20 minute-makers were Bayonne players; fly-half Camille Lopez (3rd), back-rowers Uzair Cassiem (9th) and Stone Huguet (12th), winger Remy Baget (14th) and lock, Thomas Ceyte (20th). They’ll need more players to pull their weight this season if they’re to steer clear of relegation.

Strength: Kicking. Between Camille Lopez and Gaetan Germain, Bayonne was equipped with two of the most successful goal-kickers in the Top 14 last season. In a side that didn’t score too often, Lopez finished the year as the 10th highest scorer (182 points) whilst Germain wasn’t far behind in 13th place (133 points), despite him averaging the 2nd most significant number of points per game (13.3).

Watch For: Reece Hodge. You can’t go past the eye-catching Australian utility-back who will be a phenomenal offensive addition at Bayonne.

With a slicing counter-attack, a thumping boot, and an assured pair of hands under the high ball, previewed in our French Top14 analysis, Reece Hodge is going to be the ‘extra spark’ to light up those around him such as Eneriko Buliruarua, Baget, Aurelien Callandret and Luke Morahan.

Union Bordeaux Bègles

Last Season finishing place: 6th

Departures: Gabriel Oghre, Pablo Dimcheff, Alban Roussel, Petero Mailulu, Caleb Timu, Clarence Bienes, Renato Gimmarioli, Tom Willis, Jean-Baptiste Lachaise, Jules Gimbert, Hugo Zabalza, Remi Lamerat, Federico Mori, Santiago Cordero, Geoffrey Cros, Gatien Masse

Arrivals: Romain Latterrade, Connor Sa, Adam Coleman, Alexandre Ricard, Pete Samu, Tevita Tatafu, Marko Gazzotti, Paul Abadie, Damian Penaud

RWC Jokers: Carlo Sadie, Raphael Lakafia, Ben Tapuai, Arthur Duhau

Weakness: Discipline. Bordeaux accumulated more cards than a poker table last season! In the 26 regular Top 14 games, they were handed an unenviable 20 yellow cards. With 241 dished out throughout the whole season’s competition, that meant UBB coped over 8% of them, or, the equivalent of playing 2.5 whole games with a one-man disadvantage.

Strength: Marko Gazzotti. He was the signature that every Top 14 and ProD2 club were after at the conclusion of the recent U20s World Championships where the 18-year-old was crowned Player of the Tournament after a series of sensationally impactful performances. Bordeaux will be rapped to have signed the Number 8 from Grenoble which they can slowly build a future around. It’s unlikely Marko will feature much during the beginning of the season but expect him to follow a similar progression to the starting XV in the way Lenni Nouchi did at Montpellier last season.

Watch For: Speed. It’s a case of “catch me if you can” for 20-year-old young gun Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The newly capped French International may not be the biggest Winger on the pitch, but he’ll burn you for speed. He clocked an eye-watering 35km/h sprint during France’s Rugby World Cup training camp. Any considered French Top14 analysis

Castres Olympique

Last Season finishing place: 9th

Departures: Antoine Guillamon, River Tukino, Paula Ngauamo, Brice Humbert, Brendan Lebrun, Theo Hannoyer, Dorian Clerc, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Kevin Kornath, Julien Blanc, Rory Kockott, Ben Botica, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Thomas Combezou, Thomas Larregain

Arrivals: Loris Zarantonello, Romain Macurdy, Abraham Papali’I, Yann Peysson, Pierre Popelin, Jack Goodhue, Joris Dupont, Nathanael Hulleu

RWC Joker: none

Weakness: Discipline. Castres Olympique was the second most ill-disciplined side of 2022/2023, accumulating 28 yellow cards in just their 26 regular season games. A ninth place or lower will beckon again shall they continue to get on the wrong side of referees.

Strength: Home fortress. For years now Castres have made their 12,500-seater home stadium a fortress, and last season was no different. Teams came and were routinely defeated at Stade Pierre-Fabre, with only Champion Cup winners and eventual Top 14 Runners-up La Rochelle, the sole side to beat Castres at home. 12 victories from 13 games is an impressive record that the proud club will be wanting to emulate.

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Watch For: Attacking game. Castres did not have the finest of attacking games during the 2022/2023 season. Winger Geoffrey Palis played the second most minutes during his 25 matches throughout the season yet managed a measly total of 24 points; two tries and four penalties. That’s not the greatest of returns. It is why the club signed promising 23-year-old Nathanael Hulleu from Pro D2 outfit, Vannes. The winger can play on both the left and right side of the field; started 27 of the club’s 31 games last season; and was top try-scorer with 17. Add to that New Zealand International Jack Goodhue who is a man born with the attacking genes of any impressive All Black.

Clermont-Ferrand

Last Season finishing place: 10th

Departures: Davit Kubriashvili, Valentin Simutoga, Adrien Pelissie, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Edward Annandale, Arthur Iturria, Alexandre Lapandry, Dante Burger, Judicael Cancoriet, Loic Godener, Jaco van Tonder, Kevin Viallard, Gabin Michet, Apisai Naqalevu, Jean-Pascal Barraque, Damian Penaud, Samuel Ezeala, Cheikh Tiberghien

Arrivals: Henzo Kiteau, Folau Fainga’a, Rob Simmons, Chris Gabriel, Pita-Gus Sowakula, Marcos Kremer, Enzo Sanga, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Pierre Fouyssac, Thomas Roziere, Joris Jurand

RWC Joker: Caleb Timu

Weakness: Fly-Half. What exactly is the number 10 pecking order at Clermont, and who’s the man to take the reins? Last season’s constant chopping and changing between Anthony Belleau and Jules Plisson did not work, and the signature of elder statesman Benjamin Urdapilleta is an oddity. If ASM are to get back to their title-chasing best, then they need a play-making general who can tactically control a game with confidence.

Strength: Supporters. Win, lose or draw, one thing is for sure, Clermont Auvergne fans will turn out in their masses to Stade Marcel-Michelin. Flags waving, rapturous applause, vocal chants; Les Jaunards are one of European Rugby’s greatest set of supporters.

Watch For: Baptiste Jauneau. The French scrum-half needs little introduction after firmly displaying his talents at the recent U20s World Championships, where he made age-group rugby look far too easy. The 19-year-old’s all-round game, collectiveness and calmness mean he’s already represented Clermont at senior level, but don’t put it past the youngster to further his French career as a potential heir-apparent to Antoine Dupont.

La Rochelle (Stade Rochelais)

Last Season finishing place: 2nd

Departures: Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Leo Aouf, Samuel Lagrange, Romain Sazy, Remi Bourdeau, Kyle Hatherell, Jules Le Bail, Pierre Popelin, Harry Glynn, Victor Olivier, Pierre Boudehent, Martin Alonso, Thibault Rabourdin

Arrivals: Judicael Cancoriet, Teddy Iribaren, Ihaia West, Jack Nowell

RWC Jokers: Archer Holz, Billy Pollard, Akuila Tabualevu

Weakness: Top 14 titles. With two consecutive European titles under their belt and a Top 14 Runners-Up medal, it’s hard to find many weaknesses with La Rochelle. If we’re being picky, then the lack of the Brennus Shield is the only asterisk against their name. Having finished inside the top 6 in six of the previous seven seasons, Les Maritimes have been unable to crown themselves French Champions. Is this the season, however, where it all comes together?

Strength: Fly-Half. Is there any club in World Rugby that has the strength of depth at number 10 that La Rochelle has? Leading the charge is French International Antoine Hastoy who amassed a whopping 329 points last season. They’ve just signed 31-year-old Ihaia West, who rejoins the harbour town.

They have young-gun Hugo Reus waiting in the wings, and can also rely on Samoan international centre UJ Seuteni shall the need arise. Not to forget, all are coached under the tutelage of one of international rugby’s greatest ever fly-halves in Irishman Ronan O’Gara.

Watch For: Hugo Reus. When it rains it pours, or so they say. And this couldn’t be truer when it comes to French half-backs. Les Bleus have unearthed another gem in fly-half, Reus. Having already played at senior level, it’s little wonder he looked so completely composed at the U20 World Championships. A brilliant distribution game, a great tactical thinker, and a rare two-footed footballer, the 19-year-old has all the hallmarks of becoming a top international senior player. The question is, just how much game time will he get behind Antoine Hastoy?

Note: in relation to our French Top14 analysis, Rochelais’ fans should be excited with new signing England’s Jack Nowell, as well as the re-signing of Kiwi pivot Ihaia West.

Lyon Olympique

Last Season finishing place: 3rd

Departures: Francisco Gomez Kodela, Temo Mayanavanua, Patrick Sobela, Jonathan Pelissie, Liam Rimet, Lima Sopoaga, Josua Tuisova, Tavite Veredamu, Noa Nakaitaci, Nathan Farissier, Ethan Clusel

Arrivals: Valentin Simutoga, Alban Roussel, Pierre-Samuel Pacheco, Martin Page-Relo, Paddy Jackson, Sami Radradra, Vincent Rattez, Monty Ioane, Thaakir Abrahams

RWC Jokers: Santiago Medrano, Pierre Pages, Liam Allen

Weakness: Rugby World Cup period. Within this French Top14 analysis, there aren’t too many more Top 14 clubs than Lyon that will be as directly affected by RWC player call-ups. The Wolves may have to navigate the beginning of the season with up to 12 of their side on international duty.

Strength: Back 3. Les Loups go into the new season with one of the most elusive, electric and exciting Back 3 in world rugby. 28-year-old Italian Winger Monty Ioane will join up with already-contracted 22-year-old French Winger Ethan Dumortier, and 21-year-old Georgian Full-Back Davit Ninashvili. Expect fast-paced flashes of absolute brilliance as the three internationals link up to continually counter-attack from back play.

Watch for: Semi Radradra. Lyon supporters were mystified when the club announced it was parting company with Fijian centre/winger sensation, Josua Tuisova. How could the team fill that giant-sized gap – figuratively and literally? Well, President Yann Roubert signed, sealed and delivered the goods when he revealed the arrival of the equally sensational Fijian international centre, Semi Radradra. Having had stints with both Toulon and Bordeaux, Semi is no stranger to the Top 14, nor will he fear taking over the exact position occupied by his countryman.

Montpellier Hérault

Last Season finishing place: 11th

Departures: Henry Thomas, Mohamed Haouas, Jeremie Maurouard, Ru-Hann Greyling, Vincent Giudicelli, Curtis Langdon, Romain Macurdy, Zach Mercer, Gela Aprasidze, Yvan Reilhac, Vincent Rattez

Arrivals: D’Arcy Rae, Lasha Marcharashvili, Luka Japaridze, Baptiste Erdocio, Tolu Latu, Vano Karkadze, Sam Simmonds, Martin Doan, Auguste Cadot, Alexandre De Nardi

RWC Jokers: Logovi’I Mulipola, Benoit Paillaugue

Weakness: Form slump. It’s hard to believe that in the space of one season, Montpellier went from Top 14 Champions to 11th-place finishers. Rugby is a game of fine lines and MHR happened to be on the wrong side of them more often than not. Phillipe Saint-Andre’s men won just 23% of their Away games and lost 62% of games in which the scoreline ended within a 10-point margin. If it wasn’t for nine Losing Bonus-Points, they would have been finding themselves in a relegation battle.

Strength: Sam Simmonds’s arrival. There aren’t too many players in world rugby that could have filled the void left by the departing Zach Mercer, but Montpellier have managed to recruit a like-for-like player in fellow Englishman, Sam Simmonds.

The 28-year-old joins from Exeter Chiefs and brings with him a wealth of knowledge having accrued 15 England international caps and one British and Irish cap.

Watch For: Louis Carbonel. He may have topped MHR’s scoring stats with 238 points, but with a forward pack that regularly struggled, it was hard for the French international to turn basic into brilliance. But the number 10 will be looking to get back to his pre-2022/23 French Top14 season form, where his distribution was applauded, his in-field kicking game lauded, his leadership praised, and where his tackling game amazed.

 

His repertoire is vast, and through this French Top14 analysis, LWOR anticipates Carbonel will be hoping to shine once again in 2023/2024.

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Look out for 2023/24 French Top 14 analysis Part 2 coming soon….

 

“Main photo credit”
Blueberry-026 on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

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