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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 Rugby 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.
The Romania national rugby union team represents Romania in men's international rugby union competitions. Nicknamed Stejarii, the team is long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations. They have participated in all but one Rugby World Cup and currently compete in the first division of the European Nations Cup, which they won in 2017. Rugby union in Romania is administered by the Romanian Rugby Federation.
Gregor Peter John Townsend is a Scottish professional rugby union coach and former player who has been coaching the Scotland national team since 2017.
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.
Montpellier Hérault Rugby (MHR) is a French professional rugby union club, based in Montpellier, Occitanie and named after the Hérault river. The club competes in the top level of the French league system, the Top 14. They originally played at Stade Sabathé but moved to the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, later known as Altrad Stadium, and since renamed the GGL Stadium, in 2007. They wear white and blue.
Justin Warren Marshall is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played 81 games for the New Zealand All Blacks between 1995 and 2005.
Joseph Paul Richard Worsley, is a retired English rugby union player who played flanker for Wasps and England.
Gonzalo Quesada is an Argentine rugby former player and current coach, who presently works as head coach for the Italy national rugby union team.
Mario Ledesma Arocena is an Argentine rugby union coach and a former international rugby player. He played in Argentina's successful 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign and had a professional playing career in France spanning 10 years. Since retiring he has coached at the highest level in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and was most recently the head coach of the Argentine national team.
David Bortolussi is a French-born Italian rugby union footballer. He usually plays at full back or on the wing.
Pablo Canavosio is an Italian Argentine rugby union footballer. Canavosio played for Rovigo, Calvisano, Castres Olympique and Aironi. His usual position is at scrum half or wing.
David Smith is a Samoan rugby union player who plays with RC Narbonne in the French Top 14 He previously played for the Hurricanes, Blues and Western Force in Super Rugby as well as Toulon & Castres Olympique.
Alexandru Manta is a Romanian former rugby union footballer.
Rory Kockott is a South African-born French professional former rugby union player who played for Castres in France's Top 14 and played for the France national team. He was born in East London, South Africa, and qualified to play for France through residency; he won 11 caps for France in 2014 and 2015. A scrum-half, he previously played in Super Rugby for the Sharks and the Lions, and for the Golden Lions and the Sharks in South Africa's Currie Cup.
Olivier Merle is a former French rugby union player. He played as a lock. He was known by several nicknames, including "La Merluche" and "Le Massif Central". He was known for his violent play and after headbutting Ricky Evans the Welsh prop in Paris causing a ruck to collapse on him breaking his ankle, resulted in his being sued successfully in the courts for damages. This was the first case of its kind and BBC video evidence was used in court. After that he never played for France again.
Matthew James Pini is a former professional rugby union player who played as a fullback. Born in Australia, he played for both the Australia and Italy national teams.
Rodrigo Capó Ortega is a former Uruguayan rugby union player. He won the Top 14 in 2012–13 and 2017–18 with Castres
Alex Tulou is a rugby union footballer, currently playing in the top French professional rugby competition, the Top 14, for Montpellier. He joined Montpellier in 2011. His usual position is number eight or Flanker.
John Lacey is a former Ireland A and Ireland Sevens rugby union international and current rugby union referee. As a player, Lacey spent most of career with Shannon in the All-Ireland League. He also represented Munster. As an international referee he has taken charge of matches in the Six Nations Championship, the Rugby Championship and the Rugby World Cup. He also refereed the 2013 Pro12 Grand Final and the 2015–16 and 2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup finals.
Cristian Daniel Săuan is a former Romanian rugby union player. He played as a wing.