6 Bold Predictions for World Rugby This Weekend: Toulouse, Clermont Triumph
We approach a stacked weekend in the world of rugby as Europe's regular seasons begin to draw to a close, while Super Rugby's giants continue to duel in search of Southern Hemisphere dominance.
We also have the IRB World Sevens Series coming to a close in London along with the beginning of this season's RFU Championship playoff legs.
There's a lot to look out for in the final weekends of the Aviva Premiership and Pro12 regular seasons, not to mention the start of the Top 14's play-off proceedings.
We've been as thorough as we can be in selecting as wide an assortment of rugby topics as possible in order to provide some insight as to how this weekend's tremendous bill of action will unfold.
1. Toulouse and Clermont Book Top 14 Semi-Final Play-Off Places
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Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne host Racing Metro and Castres in their respective Top 14 play-off quarter-finals this weekend, with Toulon and Montpellier awaiting the victors in the next phase of competition.
As Opta's Russ Petty points out, Toulouse have a fine home record against Racing in their recent encounters, soundly beating the Parisian outfit by double-digit scores on each occasion and conceding just four tries at home this term.
Racing's attack is by some margin the weakest to have made it through to the post-season fixtures in France, and Guy Noves' men shouldn't have too many issues in moving past their foes for the second time this season.
As for Clermont, this will be Vern Cotter's last chance to win silverware in his current setting before he takes on the Scotland head coach position in the summer.
The club's Heineken Cup embarrassment at the hands of Saracens a fortnight ago will have only left Clermont with a renewed thirst to succeed, and it's fortunate that they have proven to be a far different beast at home.
Castres were unable to beat Clermont in their two league meetings this season, drawing 22-22 at home before losing 23-11 on their travels to Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin.
Cotter's devastating back three failed to find their stride against Saracens, but we're backing Clermont to deliver when Castres come to visit, where it will evidenced as to why the Vulcans finished seven points ahead of their rivals in the regular season.
2. South Africa Block New Zealand Hat-Trick at London Sevens
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Coming into the final leg of this season's IRB Sevens World Series, New Zealand are buoyant after winning the two previous stages in Hong Kong and Glasgow, but South Africa remain close on their tails in the standings.
It all comes down to how the All Blacks perform in London this weekend, where they will take on hosts England, Wales and Argentina in what could prove to be a tough group to come out on top of.
The Springboks, however, have a far easier run of things to begin with, going up against France, Scotland and Portugal in Group D.
It's difficult to predict what will transpire and validate all the potential line-ups that Neil Powell's side could face from there, but after going through a rough patch of late, we're backing the South Africans to turn up to the fore at the last hurdle.
That being said, it still won't be enough to stop New Zealand claiming the 2013-14 title.
3. Rebels Fly a Lonely Flag for Australia
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With the Waratahs enjoying a bye week in which they can sit back and catch their breath, the other four Australian outfits have a big task in defending Australia's honours in Round 13 of the Super Rugby campaign.
And all but the Rebels will be fruitless in their labours, too, as the Melbourne outfit welcome the Hurricanes, who have won just one of their five away fixtures this season, to AAMI Park.
Tony McGahan's side put up an admirable fight against the Sharks last week, but were ultimately undone by the boot of Francois Steyn, but restricting the running game of the 'Canes is more suited to their defensive repertoire.
Meanwhile, Jake White's league leaders travel to Canberra to take on the Brumbies, the difficult-to-read Cheetahs play hosts to Western Force in Bloemfontein and the in-form Crusaders take on the out-of-shape Reds in Queensland.
All three of those latter Australian outfits will go unfulfilled, but the Rebels will be on hand to cause something of an upset of their own in Melbourne and keep Aussie spirits up.
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4. Leinster Top Pro12, Treviso Snatch European Priority
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Coming into the final week of this Pro12 campaign, Leinster are four points clear at the summit and need only draw against Edinburgh on Saturday, regardless of means or margin, to ensure they finish there.
Matt O'Connor's side has too many experienced heads to let things drop at this stage, especially against a lacklustre Edinburgh outfit.
An equally intriguing twist comes at the opposite end of the division.
As things stand, Italian representatives Zebre and Treviso sit level on 28 points apiece, with the former currently heading the race for a spot in next season's European Rugby Champions Cup on points difference.
However, Treviso have a far more agreeable trip to Newport Gwent Dragons on their hands while Zebre take on the high-flying Glasgow Warriors in foreign territory.
The Dragons might still come out with the victory, but Treviso will claim a losing bonus point for their troubles and Zebre shall be left empty-handed, which would be enough to see them qualify for the inaugural campaign of the new European rugby format.
5. Quins Win but Miss out on Play-Offs in Agonising Fixture
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The most intriguing encounter of the Premiership's regular season curtain call will unfold at The Stoop, where Harlequins will play host to Bath.
The home team are currently sitting in fifth, three points adrift of their guests.
Conor O'Shea's side have picked the right time to come upon a strong vein of form, having won their last four games, while Bath have just two victories in their last three.
That being said, Mike Ford's men haven't conceded four tries or more in an away fixture since December of last year, and will have all the motivation necessary to ensure standards are upheld this weekend.
Harlequins' wave of good fortune will be enough to see them claim a slim victory over their closely positioned contenders, but a losing bonus point combined with Bath's superior points difference will be enough to grant Ford's side a place in this season's play-offs.
6. Bristol and London Welsh Take RFU Championship Playoff Initiative
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This Saturday marks the beginning of the English Championship's post-season, with Bristol and Leeds Carnegie welcoming Rotherham Titans and London Welsh to their grounds in the first legs of their respective play-offs.
It won't be a case of home advantage providing good fortune for all, however, as London Welsh, relegated from the Premiership in 2012-13, will do as they did in the regular campaign, travelling to Headingley and taking a win back to their confines.
Bristol, meanwhile, have a considerably less trifling challenge in the shape of Rotherham, whom they recorded a double over during the normal term.
Stepping closer to setting up a Championship play-off final showdown of their own, Bristol will pounce on their home comforts this weekend before heading to Clifton Lane next weekend, while Justin Burnell's Exiles claim an early scalp of their own.
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