Top14: Three-way tussle

 

A victory for Clermont in Paris would see fourth-placed Racing fall further behind the leading trio, who they already trail by six points.

 

But Clermont travel to the capital with a patched-up side, missing Damien Chouly, Camille Lopez and Wesley Fofana, who are all rested after French international duty against Scotland and Ireland in the past two weeks.

 

Jamie Cudmore (knee), Raphael Chaume (back), Viktor Kolelishvili (knee) and Aurelien Rougerie (elbow) are also missing for a game sandwiched between Six Nations action.

 

But prop Vincent Debaty, who is available but included in the France squad to play Wales in their next match, insists Clermont's international contingent can overcome the disappointment of France's latest performance and the absence of key players.

 

"This isn't anything new for us. It's been like that for years and we knew the calendar when it was published," he said. 

 

"As international players, we know how to handle the situation. We clearly are focused on the Top 14.

 

"This game is very important for us and we are focused on it. We are facing a direct opponent, we need to apply ourselves and, if possible, maintain the gap between us".

 

Clermont haven't won any of their last five away games and head into the showdown knowing they have beaten Racing at home just once since 2011.

 

Before the international break, Racing were on a run of consecutive wins against Lyon in the Top 14 and Northampton in the European Cup.

 

And the match offers the prospect of the two best defences in the league in action.

 

But it is unlikely to be a closed game, Debaty believes.

 

"We don't play like that and Racing have been playing well lately. Both defences will challenge, that's a given. But it's a critical factor in modern rugby," he said.

 

Earlier on Saturday, Toulon take on Bordeaux-Begles, who are sixth and go into the game with no fewer than seven players sidelined.

 

Defending champions Toulon also have injury worries but the depth of Bernard Laporte's star-studded squad more than compensates.

 

But coach Raphael Ibanez has done a sterling job at Bordeaux, making them a difficult proposition on their own turf, and he is now widely seen as the successor-in-waiting to national coach Philippe Saint-Andre.

 

Stade Francais, meanwhile, face an easier challenge on paper as they head to Bayonne, who are 12th, just three points ahead of bottom side Castres.  

 

Elsewhere, Toulouse entertain Lyon while Grenoble play Montpellier and Castres travel to Oyonnax.

 

In a rare Thursday game, struggling La Rochelle picked up a precious 19-12 victory over Brive.

 

Round 17 fixtures (all times GMT)

 

Saturday, Februrary 21: Bordeaux-Begles v Toulon (13.45), Oyonnax v Castres, Bayonne v Stade Francais, Grenoble v Montpellier, Toulouse v Lyon (all 17.30), Racing-Metro v Clermont (19.45)

 

 

Toulon          17 11 0  6 471 322 7 51

 

Clermont        17 11 0  6 424 277 7 51

 

Stade Francais  17 11 0  6 407 368 7 51

 

Racing-Metro    17 10 0  7 350 312 5 45

 

Toulouse        17  9 0  8 353 336 5 41

 

Bordeaux        17  8 0  9 464 369 8 40

 

Montpellier     17  9 0  8 341 327 3 39

 

Grenoble        17  8 0  9 405 492 6 38

 

Oyonnax         17  8 0  9 338 345 5 37