Top 14 tournament preview

With the Top 14 kicking off this Friday, club-by-club we take a closer look at who's hot and who's not in the race for the Bouclier de Brennus.

Click on the links below for each club's individual preview.

The continued influx of foreign stars into France has set us up for another intriguing season. Not too many years ago, any hopes of making the final in Paris were the exclusive right of the 'big four' - Toulouse, Stade Français, Biarritz, Clermont - but with Perpignan's title two season's ago and the rise of big-spenders Toulon and Racing-Métro, the race for the title is truly wide open.

Throw into the mix outsiders like Castres, Brive, Bayonne and Montpellier and you have eleven realistic candidates for a top-six finish synonymous with the play-offs and Heineken Cup qualification.

After finally cracking it in eleven finals, defending champions Clermont are set to be a tough act to beat. Now freed from the burden of those past loses, France's perennial top attackers are a sure bet to finish amongst the leaders.

Our favourites to finish top are Toulon. Another crop of high-profile recruits have been added to the already star-studded line-up, giving master tactician Philippe Saint-André all the resources he needs to chase silverware.

While Toulon focus on the Top 14, seventeen-time French champions Toulouse will once again have to juggle dual ambitions as they focus on the defence of their European crown. As usual, the country's richest club will be also be deprived of a large chunk of their squad during the Six Nations, making an eighteenth title a tough ask.

Finalist for the last two seasons, Perpignan's recent track record speaks for itself. The Catalans have a settled squad, but of all the 'big' clubs they have the smallest budget and as a result have not been able to add much firepower to their ranks in the off-season.

After a nightmare season last time around, Stade Français have a new coach, a new stadium and are looking for a fresh start. Without the stress of the Heineken Cup, the Parisian giant will be able to concentrate on their domestic revival.

After making the play-offs in their first season back in the top flight, Racing-Métro have also been very active on the transfer market. However with the added responsibility of competing in Europe and considering the expected resurgence of their Parisian rivals and Biarritz, Racing could struggle to repeat last year's heroics.

Heineken Cup finalists last season, Biarritz cannot afford to have another disastrous domestic campaign like the last two.

After leading for much of the season, Castres were the surprise package last year and will be looking to use their no-frills approach to cause a few more upsets.

Brive have shed some dead weight over the off-season and should easily finish in mid-table where they are likely to be joined by Montpellier, who are now being coached by Fabien Galthié.

Bayonne were lucky to avoid relegation last season and have gone on a spending spree to ensure that they stay up this time around.

Eight-time former champions Agen are back in the top flight for the first time in three years. Their last title dates back to 1988 and survival will be their only goal this season.

Two of the oldest clubs in France are set to be embroiled in the relegation battle: Cash-strapped Bourgoin and newly-promoted La Rochelleare our favourites be sent back to the ProD2.

Planet Rugby's Top 14 predictions:

1 Toulon
2 Clermont
3 Toulouse
4 Perpignan
5 Stade Français
6 Biarritz
7 Racing-Métro
8 Castres
9 Brive
10 Montpellier
11 Bayonne
12 Agen
13 Bourgoin
14 La Rochelle