Top14 round 8: preview and predictions

Jonny Wilkinson return at fly-half for Toulon as the French giants try to get back to winning ways when they travel to Biarritz a week before hosting Montpellier in the opening round of the Heineken Cup.
He is joined by fellow Englishmen Andrew Sheridan, Delon and Steffon Armitage who all start at loose-head, full-back and openside.
Welshman Gethin Jenkins and veteran Simon Shaw are on the bench.
Meanwhile, Iain Balshaw start once again at full-back for the Basques with Welshman Aled Brew on the left wing and Magnus Lund on the bench.
With a disappointing home defeat to Bayonne in the Basques derby, Biarritz will be looking for a reaction before their crucial trip to Harlequins next Saturday which could decide the outcome of their Heineken Cup campaign.
Even though he arrived in Paris on Monday, Olly Barkley has been named on the bench for Racing Metro as they host Montpellier tomorrow.
He will be facing former Bath teammate Shontayne Hape who starts once again at inside centre for Montpellier.
James Hook, Luke Charteris, Luke Narraway, Richard Haugton and Alasdair Strokosch all start once again for Perpignan as the Catalans face a daunting trip to new boys Grenoble who have already beaten Stade Francais and Racing Metro at home.
The Welsh duo start at fly-half and lock while the Englishmen will control the scrum and backline from the back at No.8 and full-back and Scot Strokosch will pack down at blindside.
Nathan Hines will start at lock for Clermont but will have to wait until the later stage of the game to face his fellow countryman Max Evans who is on the bench for Castres.
PREDICTIONS
Bayonne v Agen: Both teams had a difficult start of the season. It’s a tough one to call, my heart hopes Agen will win but at their full potential, Bayonne should be better. I’ll go for Bayonne on the back of their win in the Basques derby last week (even though they didn’t deserve it).
Biarritz v Toulon: It hurts me to say it but the Basques are going to follow up their four straight win by four straight loses. Matt Berquist makes his debut for BO but against the Toulon back row it won’t be easy. It’s going to be agonisingly close but Toulon might just be too strong in the end (I really hope I’m wrong).
Bordeaux-Begles v Toulouse: Toulouse have key players on the bench but it will be enough to get the win. With Tolofua, Jonhston, Poux, Maestri, Dusautoir and McAlister on the bench, they’ll have reinforcement to hand should they need it
Castres v Clermont: Clermont haven’t won at Castres for 36 years. They have rested some key players and Castres has become one of the toughest place to travel to. It will be 37 years after tonight.
Grenoble v Perpignan: Perpignan have a good team on paper but they are struggling for some reason while Grenoble have build up confidence early with already four wins. I thinks they won’t stop there and pick up all the points they can get before Christmas when it’ll get tough. Another big scalp on the horizon for the newcomers.
Mont-de-Marsan v Stade Francais: Stade Français don’t travel well and it might just be what Mont-de-Marsan need to finally get their season going. First win on the horizon for the minnows.
Racing Metro v Montpellier: It should be a nice game for Barkley to get going. Racing are getting there and becoming a potent force at home. They’ll get the win.