The Top 14 is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. Created in 1892, the Top 14 is at the top of the national league system operated by the France National Rugby League, also known by its French initialism of LNR. There is promotion and relegation between the Top 14 and the next level down, the Pro D2. The fourteen best rugby teams in France participate in the competition, hence the name Top 14. The competition was previously known as the Top 16.
Munster Rugby is one of the professional provincial rugby teams from the island of Ireland. They compete in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. The team represents the IRFU's Munster Branch, which is responsible for rugby union throughout the Irish province of Munster. The team motto is "To the brave and faithful, nothing is impossible." This is derived from the motto of the MacCarthy clan – "Forti et Fideli nihil difficile". Their main home ground is Thomond Park, Limerick, though some games are played at Musgrave Park, Cork.
Ronan John Ross O'Gara is an Irish former rugby union player and current coach. O'Gara played as a fly-half and is Ireland's second most-capped player and second highest points scorer. He is currently head coach of La Rochelle in the French Top 14.
Castres Olympique is a French rugby union club located in the Occitanian city of Castres and is currently competing in the top level of the French league system.
Chris Masoe is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer, who last played for Racing Metro 92 in the Top 14 and a current professional boxer. He is the brother of boxer Maselino Masoe. He was born on the island of Savai'i
Manuel Nicolás Carizza is an Argentine rugby union footballer who usually plays as a lock. He currently plays for French Top 14 side Racing 92. He started his career with Argentine club Jockey Club de Rosario until he joined French side Biarritz in 2005. He spent seven years at Biarritz before joining Racing Métro for the 2012–13 season. In 2014, he signed for South African Super Rugby side the Stormers and also played for their affiliated domestic provincial side Western Province, but returned to Racing Métro for the 2015–16 season.
Rory Kockott is a professional rugby union player who plays as scrum-half for Stade Français in France's Top 14. Born in South Africa, he played for the France national team
Marc Andreu is a French rugby union player. Andreu, who is a wing, plays his club rugby for La Rochelle having previously been at Racing 92. He made his debut for France against Wales on 26 February 2010. He scored his first international try against Italy in a 2010 Six Nations Championship match on 14 March 2010.
Wenceslas Lauret is a rugby union footballer, who plays for Racing 92 in the Top 14 French league. His usual position is flanker, but he can also play Lock.
Rodrigo Capó Ortega is a former Uruguayan rugby union player. He won the Top 14 in 2012–13 and 2017–18 with Castres
Johannes Lodewikus Goosen is a South African professional rugby union player. He plays as a fly-half, full-back or centre for the Bulls and the Blue Bulls, competing in the United Rugby Championship and the Currie Cup.
Benjamin Vainga Charles Tameifuna is a professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for Top 14 club Bordeaux Bègles. Born in New Zealand, he represents Tonga at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.
The 2012–13 Top 14 competition was a French domestic rugby union club competition operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). Two new teams from the 2011–12 Pro D2 season were promoted to Top 14 this year, Grenoble and Stade Montois in place of the two relegated teams, CA Brive and Lyon OU. Home-and-away play began on 17 August 2012 and continued through to 5 May 2013. The regular season was followed by a three-round playoff involving the top six sides. The final was contested at the Stade de France between Toulon and Castres; the match was won 19–14 by Castres to earn them their first title since the controversial final in 1993.
Brice Dulin is a French rugby union player. His usual position is fullback, and he currently plays for La Rochelle in the Top 14. He began his career at SU Agen, making his professional debut in 2009. He made his debut for France during their tour of Argentina in June 2012.
Daniel Mattheus Kotze is a South African-born French rugby union player. His position is prop and he currently plays for Castres in the Top 14. He began his career in South Africa with the Free State Cheetahs before moving to Stade Aurillacois in 2009. He left Stade Aurillacois in 2011 to join ASM Clermont Auvergne. He was selected to play for France in 2013 against the All Blacks. He made his debut for France on 8 June 2013 against New Zealand, in Auckland replacing Luc Ducalcon.
The 2013–14 Top 14 competition is a French domestic rugby union club competition operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). Two new teams from the 2012–13 Pro D2 season were promoted to Top 14 this year, Oyonnax and Brive in place of the two relegated teams, Agen and Mont-de-Marsan. Home-and-away play began on 16 August 2013 and continued through to 3 May 2014.
Bernard Le Roux is a South African-born French rugby union player, who recently played as flanker for French Top 14 side Racing 92.
Laurent Labit is a retired French rugby union footballer, and current head coach of Top 14 side Stade Français.
