2023/24 Top14 Analysis: Part 2/2

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2023/24 Top14 Analysis: Part 2/2

FEATURE: The Top 14 is only three days away and is starting on Friday August 18. Here is a detailed 2023/24 Top14 analysis of the teams competing in the 2023/2024 league this year.

This part two of a two-part French Top14 analysis series includes what each team did last year, what are the arrivals, departures, strengths and weaknesses, and which players to watch out for.

2023/24 Top14 Analysis: Part 2/2

It’s what you’ve been waiting for, part 2/2 of our French Top 14 2023/2024 season analysis:

(Union Sportive) Oyonnax

Last Season: Pro D2 Champions [duly promoted in 2023/24]

Departures: Victor Delmas, Thomas Laclayat, Tom Murday, Gabriel Favier, Jeremy Gondrand, Yohan Le Bourhis, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Florian Vialelle, Paul Gadea, Taylor Paris, Aurelien Callandret

Arrivals: Ali Oz, Christopher Vaotoa, Ewan Johnson, Loic Godener, Kevin Kornath, Jonathan Ruru, Domingo Miotti, Lucas Mensa, Daniel Ikpefan, Maxime Salles, Ethan Clusel

RWC Joker: none

Weakness: Attack. Oyonnax may have impressed on the attacking front last season, but with two of the top three Pro D2 try scorers departing the club (Thomas Laclayat and Aurelien Callandret)- and a transition into the more competitive Top 14- five points will no longer come easy to the red and black outfit.

Strength: Schedule. Having to face Stade Francais, Toulouse, Toulon, and La Rochelle consecutively from Rounds 2 to 5 may not seem advantageous for most teams, but Oyonnax will be excited at the prospect of facing these powerhouses who’ll have very depleted squads. All four teams could lose anywhere from 10-20 players during the Rugby World Cup period, and Oyonnax must capitalize on this opportunity.

Watch For: Adaption. Oyonnax stormed the Pro D2 last season winning the Championship convincingly, but they have not been in the Top 14 since 2017. They will want to hit the ground running during the Rugby World Cup and take advantage of a period when many of the bigger-budgeted clubs will be player short.

Pau (Section Paloise)

Last Season: 12th

Departures: Maks van Dyk, Rayne Barka, Santiago Grondona, Jordan Joseph, Jimi Maximin, Alexis Levron, Clovis Le Bail, Zach Henry, Yvan Reilhac, Vaea Tutuila Vaea, Daniel Ikpefan, Eoghan Barrett, Vincent Pinto

Arrivals: Facundo Gigena, Sam Whitelock, Mehdi Tlili, Joe Simmonds, Hugo Le Gall, Samuel Ezeala

RWC Jokers: Hayden Thompson-Stringer

Weakness: Closing out games. If Section Paloise are to progress this year, they need to begin turning close losses into victories. The 2022/2023 saw them finish 10 matches within a 10-point margin, yet they carved out only two wins from such promising positions.

Strength: Academy. If you watched the U20’s World Championships, you would have seen a French squad littered with young Pau players. They have some of the most exciting youthful talent rising through the ranks, all of whom will push on for more Senior Top 14 starts this season.

Keep your eyes especially peeled for Liufau, Auradou (both Locks), Mondinat (Fly-Half), Gailleton (Wing) and Attissogbe (Wing / Full-Back).

Watch For: Emilien Gailleton. Previously an unknown entity the outside-centre Gailleton is now a household name throughout the French Top 14 and across much of International Rugby after his call-up to the senior national sides Rugby World Cup training camp.

In his first season of Top 14 rugby, the 20-year-old scored a very impressive 14 tries for Pau; many of them long-range efforts featuring beautiful cutting lines through midfield and unteachable speed from a standing-start. Some youngsters fall into the trap of ‘Second Season Syndrome’ having been studied and marked more readily, but let’s see how the Frenchman does with his armory of talents throughout the 2023/2024 year.

USA Perpignan

Last Season: 13th

Departures: Siua Halanukonuka, Ma’afu Fia, Mike Tadjer, Piula Faasalele, Andrei Mahu, Will Witty, Ewan Bertheau, Genesis Mamae Lemalu, Brad Shields, Tristan Tedder, Dorian Laborde, Brayden Wiliame, George Tilsley, Nino Seguela, Patricio Fernandez

Arrivals: Pietro Ceccarelli, Nemo Roelofse, Ignacio Ruiz, Marvin Orie, Patrick Sobela, So’otala Fa’aso’o, Jaco van Tonder, Ewan Bertheau, Tommy Allan, Apisai Naqalevu, Jean-Pascal Barraque, Tavite Veredamu, Louis Dupichot

RWC Jokers: Jeremie Maurouard

Weakness: Attacking game. The 2022/23 season saw Perpignan record the second worst attack in the Top 14, behind only eventual relegated side, Brive. In their 26 matches they scored only 503 points, with a vast majority of those coming from South African fly-half Tristan Tedder. Given the latter has now departed the Catalan club for Racing, Perpignan are going to need to rely on more than the boot of new-recruit Tommy Allan to get them out of another relegation tussle this season.

Strength: Signing of Marvin Orie. The Springbok International joins from South African outfit the Stormers and is a positional signing (Lock) that couldn’t be more needed for the Catalan club, despite him linking up after the RWC. He’s a player who executes the simple things to the highest level; be it his lineout jumps and strong takes, his elusive running game, superb ground coverage in open play, or his carrying skills.

Watch For: Posolo Tuilagi. Perpignan fans will be ecstatic to have seen Posolo recently extend his contract with the club until the end of 2025/2026 season. The French U20 sensation is hard to miss at 6’4 and 150kg, but keep your eyes focused on his progress. Some speculation has arisen about his future playing position; Number 8, Lock, perhaps even Prop. Expect him to be utilized mostly in the engine room for Perpignan given the departures of Faasalele to Toulouse and Mahu to Massy. Tuilagi is already living up to the famous rugby name of his Father and Uncles!

Racing 92

Last Season: 5th

Departures: Biyi Alo, Ali Oz, Jonathan Maiau, Anton Bresler, Teddy Iribaren, Ben Volavola, Finn Russell, Virimi Vakatawa, Asaeli Tuivuaka, Louis Dupichot, Regan Grace, Warrick Gelant

Arrivals: Thomas Laclayat, Will Rowlands, Siya Kolisi, Jordan Joseph, Clovis Le Bail, James Hall, Tristan Tedder, Josua Tuisova, Wame Naituvi, Henry Arundell

RWC Jokers: Willgriff John, Wenceslas Laurent, Christian Wade

Weakness: Lack of titles. With the vast sums of money that have repeatedly been pumped into turning Racing 92 into a formidable side, it’s startling to think their trophy cabinet continues to lay near bare. The Paris outfit has finished inside the top 6- and therefore played Finals- for the last seven consecutive years yet still haven’t managed to make the Top 14 Final since they last won the Brennus in 2016.

Strength: Back 3. In Vinaya Habosi, Max Spring and Henry Arundell, Racing have one of the most electric and exciting back 3 in the Top 14- and that’s without including new-recruit Josua Tuisova, Juan Imhoff, Christian Wade and Donovan Taofifenua. 22-year-old Spring gained more meters over 80 than any other player who played 400+ minutes last season (86m), while Habosi ranked 3rd (75m) and was also the only player with a carry dominance rate of 60%+.

Watch For: Stuart Lancaster. Having coached an International England side and having successfully helped Leinster to Champions Cup winners and four-time Pro12/14 winners, Lancaster will be eager to show his worth with a new side, in a new club competition. All the ingredients are there for a stacked Racing 92 squad to be triumphant this season, it just remains to be seen whether the Head Chef can turn it into a masterpiece.

Stade Francais (Stade Français Paris)

Last Season: 4th

Departures: Vincent Koch, Nemo Roelofse, Sitaleki Timani, Marcos Kremer, Veresa Tuqovu Ramototabua, Morgan Parra, James Hall, Arthur Coville, Harry Glover, Nicolas Sanchez, Alex Arrate, Theo Dachary, Telusa Veainu, Paolo Odogwu, Sione Tui

Arrivals: Hugo N’Diaye, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Andy Timo, Brad Weber, Jules Gimbert, Hugo Zabalza, Zach Henry, Joe Marchant, Pierre Boudehent

RWC Jokers: Rory Kockott

Weakness: Away form. Stade did manage a winning rate of over 50%- 13 wins, two draws, 11 defeats- but it was their away form that kept them from finishing within the top two in the league. They were victorious on just three occasions when playing outside of Stade Jean-Bouin.

Strength: Belief. There was a beauty to the way Stade Francais went about their rugby last season, and it wasn’t all to do with their performances on field. Having disappointed during the 2021/2022 year, the Parisian club regrouped and stormed up the table to end last season in a promising fourth place, one place above their local rivals Racing 92 who had a vastly more ‘talented’ squad and larger budget.

This club goes to show that money can only get you so far; whereas belief, confidence, and resilience can get you ‘so much further’.

Watch For: Opening rounds. Stade have a very real chance of topping the Top 14 table after the first five rounds, as they face last season’s 13th placed Perpignan in the opening game, followed by newly promoted Oyonnax, Montpellier, Bayonne, and then Castres.

Toulon (RC Toulonnais)

Last Season: 7th

Departures: Florian Fresia, Sitaleki Timani, Sergio Parisse, Mathieu Bastareaud, Raphael Lakafia, Benoit Paillaugue, Julien Blanc, Ihaia West, Cheslin Kolbe, Atila Septar, Thomas Salles, Gervais Cordin

Arrivals: David Ribbans, Selevasio Tolofua, Esteban Abadie, Yannick Youyoutte, Ben White, Enzo Herve, Leicester Fainga’anuku

RWC Jokers: Alun Wyn-Jones, Mickey Young, Noah Lolesio, Setariki Tuicuvu, Noa Nakaitaci

Weakness: Set-pieces. If Toulon are to rise up the table from 7th place, they’ll need to strengthen their set-pieces. Both the scrum and line-out faltered too often last season with neither allowing for a sturdy platform on which to launch attacks.

Strength: Espoirs. With a departure list almost twice as long as their recruiting numbers, the Var side are going into 2023/2024 relying heavily on a talented group of their former (and current) Espoirs (U21s). Some are already regulars in the first-pick team; Locks Matthias Halagahu and Adrien Warion, plus Back-Rowers Matteo Le Corvec and Jules Coulon.

Expect to see more of winger Gael Drean, fullback Marius Domon and centre Rayan Rebbadj featuring heavily in the backline, whilst hookers Pierre Damond and Yanis Boulassel and scrum-half Jules Danglot will answer the call when needed.

Watch For: Jokers. Toulon have a fondness for extending the contract of ‘rugby world Jokers’ to full-time deals. With an exciting list including Lock Alun Wyn-Jones, Scrum-Half Mickey Young, Fly-Half Noah Lolesio, Centre Setariki Tuicuvu and Utility Back Noa Nakaitaci, let’s see who President Bernard Lemaitre and Coach Pierre Mignoni decide to retain beyond the RWC period.

Toulouse (Stade Toulousain)

Last Season: French Top14 champions

Departures: Charlie Faumuina, Paul Mallez, Selevasio Tolofua, Yannick Youyoutte, Martin Page-Relo, Tim Nanai-Williams, Arthur Bonneval, Pierre Fouyssac

Arrivals: Nepo Laulala, Baptiste Germain, Simon Renda

RWC Jokers: Owen Franks, Piula Faasalele, Rynhardt Elstadt, Leo Banos, Billy Searle, George Tilsley, Setareki Bituniyata, Kakeru Okumura, Max Auriac,

Weakness: Ntamack’s injury. The sublime number 10 is going to be unavailable for arguably the whole season after succumbing to a horrible ACL injury during France’s RWC warm-up clash against Scotland. His loss will be hugely felt throughout the squad, such is the composure, calmness, and stewardship of the youngster. If there’s any team that can weather such a storm however, it’s Toulouse! Will they trial new arrival Germain; move Thomas Ramos to fly-half knowing they still have two Internationals in Ange Capouzzo and Melvyn Jaminet to fill the full-back position; or will they sign a new player all together (recent murmurs have linked them to Wallaby play-maker, Quade Cooper)?

Strength: Club structure. Not only were the Senior side crowned Champions of France and the Top 14 last season, but the clubs’ Espoirs (U21s) also lifted the trophy as the most dominant team in the nation. A triumph for the whole region, all at the same time as France hosting RWC2023.

The progression of home-grown Academy prospects at Toulouse continues to grow and amaze, and will be especially needed at the beginning of this season when many of the Senior side are away on Rugby World Cup duty.

Watch For: Dupont’s decision. Every team would be better for his services, and no team would be the same without him. It remains to be seen whether the mercurial number 9 plays at Toulouse after the Rugby World Cup, or whether he takes a rumoured sabbatical to try his hand at 7s in an effort to make the French 7s 2024 Olympic Team.

Season kicks off on August 18

READ MORE: 2023/24 French Top14 analysis: Part 1/2

Top 14 will have one game on August 18 to start off the season. This will be between Bayonne and defending champions, Toulouse, at 8:00 p.m. BST, which is 9:00 p.m. in local time in France. Toulouse is coming off winning the championship while Bayonne will look to climb up the table after finishing eighth in the 2022/23 French Top14 league. The game will be shown live on August 26 at Viaplay Sports 2 in the UK (source: WherestheMatch.com).

 

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