Toulouse are well placed to claim a fourth-consecutive title ahead of the Top 14 final against Montpellier this Saturday.
Rugby fans will turn their attention to western Europe this weekend, when Toulouse battle Montpellier for the biggest prize in French rugby.
Toulouse have accounted for four of the past five domestic titles, and will match the record of four-consecutive championships if they prevail at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Montpellier are the only other team to win the Top 14 during this period, having lifted the Bouclier de Brennus in 2022.
Montpellier won the Challenge Cup earlier this season, after they thrashed Ulster 59-26 in the decider, and while the odds are against them this weekend, they will have the chance to finish the campaign with a rare double.
Elsewhere, the club season has already concluded, and 12 of the leading Test teams in the world are already gearing up for the inaugural Nations Championship tournament.
The Springboks will be in action against England in Johannesburg next week, while the All Blacks will host France in Christchurch.
Test players involved in the coming Top 14 final – such as Toulouse scrumhalf Antoine Dupont and several others – were not considered for next week's clash against the All Blacks.
Toulouse v Montpellier
- Date: Saturday, 27 June
- Venue: Stade de France, Paris
- Time: 9pm (SA Time)
- TV: ESPN
Toulouse and Montpellier finished first and second respectively in the Top 14 league phase, and have carried that form through to the playoffs. Toulouse scored 10 tries in their 71-17 semi-final victory against Racing 92 last week – with flyhalf Romain Ntamack finishing with a personal tally of 21 points – while Montpellier were made to fight for a 25-15 win against Stade Francais.
Toulouse will go into the final as 1.25 favourites, which is unsurprising given the number of Test stars at their disposal as well as their recent record in domestic playoffs. Some might say that Dupont and company have something to prove, following their premature exit from the Champions Cup earlier this season. Their most recent display against Racing 92 would suggest that they are primed to make a statement.
Montpellier will start at 4.50 underdogs, and that offering may tempt some bettors, given that finals don't always go according to script. The smarter bet may be on the +13 handicap (1.85), given that Montpellier's defence has been the best in the tournament this season as they conceded the fewest points and tries during the league phase. Montpellier's recent showing in the Challenge Cup final proved that they have an appetite for the big matches, and that they may push Toulouse closer than expected this Saturday.
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