Could another former champion be relegated from the Top14?

It is hard to believe that after winning the Top14 in 2013 and also making it to the final last season, Castres could be relegated to the ProD2 at the end of the season. With two games left to go Castres are currently level on points with Bayonne but because of Castres better head to head points difference it is Bayonne who currently occupy the second relegation spot.

After losing to Toulon in last year’s final Castres's preparation for this season would have been to make it to their third successive final and get their trophy back. However instead of looking to secure a play-off spot in the final two games they are fighting for their lives at the bottom as they look to avoid the drop.

In what has been nothing short of a miserable season for Castres. they are now looking to avoid becoming the third former champion to be relegated from the Top14 in the last two seasons.

Last seasons Top14 saw two of the most successful French clubs relegated from France’s top division. Biarritz who had won three championships from 2002-2006 were relegated after only picking up 5 wins all season. They were joined in the ProD2 by 2009 champions Perpignan with Oyonnax staying up with a better head to head points difference. With both sides winning championships in the last 10 years it was strange to see a side fall from such a height despite not experiencing too many relegation fights in recent years.

Castres will look at last season at how clubs like Biarritz and Perpignan can reach their demise and with two games remaining there is time for them to save their season. They take on Brive on Saturday at home in what will be a hugely important game with Brive only a point ahead of them. In recent seasons the important wins were against the likes of Clermont and Toulon but now a game against a team fighting to stay up are the wins that matter the most. You would feel that a win is a must against Brive as they finish their season away to Racing Metro. Racing are currently 6th at the moment and with the likes of Bordeaux and Montpellier breathing down their neck they may need a win against Castres on the final day to secure a top 6 finish.

Castres will know what they have to do. Win the final two games and you will most likely stay up. However if they end up losing one or both games they may end up joining Biarritz and Perpignan in the ProD2 where a host of players will look to leave and getting promoted out of the ProD2 is no easy feat.