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 French 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.
Montpellier Hérault Rugby 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.
Fabien Galthié is a French rugby union coach and former player, currently the head coach of the France national team.
Dimitri Szarzewski is a former French rugby union footballer. His usual position was at hooker, and also represented France.
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.
Akapusi Qera is a Fijian professional rugby union player. A Flanker or No.8. He is married to wife Phillipha Talei and together they have four children. Qera is also from a Christian sporting family; his father was an international cricketer for Fiji and his brother also played international rugby for Fiji. He is also a first cousin of Fiji test international Viliame Veikoso. Qera is a current test international and 15's captain for Fiji Qera has also represented the Barbarians.
Anthony Floch is a French rugby union player, who normally plays at fullback. He currently plays for Montpellier in the Top 14.
The 2010–11 Top 14 competition was a French domestic rugby union club competition operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). Home-and-away play began on August 13, 2010 and continued through April 2011. The regular season was followed by a three-round playoff starting in May that involved the top six teams, culminating in the final on June 4 at Stade de France. Toulouse won the Bouclier de Brennus for the 18th time, defeating Montpellier 15–10.
Koloti Telusa Pelaki Veainu is a rugby union player. He plays at fullback or on the wing for Stade Français. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but he represents Tonga internationally. He is known for his speed, elusiveness and strength from fullback, earning him a place in Will Greenwood's Daily Telegraph team of the year for 2016/17.
Michael McCarthy is an English-born retired Irish professional rugby union player who was educated at Sedbergh School. He plays his club rugby for the Irish provincial team Leinster Rugby in the Pro14, having joined from rival Irish team Connacht in 2013. He can play in the second row or as a flanker.
James George Selwyn Gibson is an English rugby union player who plays flanker for Gloucester in Premiership Rugby, England's top division. He has previously played for London Irish, Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints appearing in over 250 professional games.
Ben Ransom is an ex-rugby union player who last played for London Irish in the Greene King IPA Championship. He played at Fullback and has represented England at U16, U18 and U20 level. He was educated at Tonbridge School in Kent. He previously attended St Michael’s School, Otford and appeared for Old Elthamians, having first played the game at school and club when seven.
Demetri Catrakilis is a former South African professional rugby union player for the Southern Kings in the Pro14. He previously played for Premiership side Harlequins, Top 14 side Montpellier in France, for the Stormers and the Southern Kings in Super Rugby, for Western Province in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competition and for the UCT Ikey Tigers in the Varsity Cup. His regular playing position is fly-half.
Paul Willemse is a French-South African professional rugby union player, who plays as a lock for Top 14 club Montpellier and the France national team. Born and raised in South Africa, he moved to France in 2014 and qualified for his adoptive country after acquiring French nationality in 2018.
Michael Thomas van Vuuren is an English qualified, South African rugby union footballer. His regular playing position is hooker.
Gaël Fickou is a French professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for Top 14 club Racing 92 and the France national team.
Alastair William "Aly" Muldowney is an English-born professional rugby union player. He is a versatile forward, being able to play in both the second row and as a flanker. Muldowney currently plays for Gallagher Premiership club Bristol Bears.
Teddy Thomas is a French international rugby union player who plays on the wing for La Rochelle in the Top 14.
The 2015–16 Top 14 competition was a French domestic rugby union club competition operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). Two new teams from the 2014–15 Pro D2 season were promoted to Top 14 this year, Agen and Pau in place of the two relegated teams, Bayonne and Lyon. Home-and-away play began on 22 August 2015 and ended on 23 May 2016. This was followed by a playoff stage involving the top six teams, culminating in the final on 24 June 2016 at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain. The final was moved from its traditional site of the Stade de France in Saint-Denis because of a scheduling conflict with UEFA Euro 2016.
The 2021–22 Top 14 competition was the 123rd French domestic rugby union club competition operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR).
