Toulouse have not played like two-time defending Top 14 champions this season but on Friday they will hope that the onset of the play-offs reignites their champion mentality and they dispose of Racing-Metro. If they do so it will bring to an end the stormy Racing reign of former France and Italy coach -- and club managing director for the past season -- Pierre Berbizier, who revealed this week that he was staying on even though he had effectively been sacked on March 30.

Stade Francais kept alive their hopes of playing in next year's European Cup as full-back Jerome Porical kicked the winning penalty in their 25-22 Challenge Cup semi-final victory at Perpignan on Friday. Porical struck three minutes from time with a penalty that hit both post and bar before sneaking over. With six penalties, a conversion and the decisive pass in South African lock Gerhard Mostert's try at the beginning of the second period, Porical was the man-of-the-match with a personal haul of 20 points.

Toulon and Clermont face tricky ties this weekend as the Top 14's dominant duo look to conserve energy ahead of next weekend's European Cup semi-finals. Clermont face the tougher task as they host reigning champions Toulouse at the Marcel Michelin stadium ahead of a crunch clash with Munster in Montpellier. But Toulon will not be relishing either a trip to Grenoble, who until recently had been unbeaten at home this season.

French Top 14 strugglers Stade Francais kept alive their hopes of qualifying for next year's European Cup by brushing aside outclassed Bath 36-20 at The Rec on Saturday to reach the Challenge Cup semi-finals. Stade have suffered a miserable season and currently sit 10th in the Top 14 table with no hope of finishing in the top six and making the end of season play-offs. However, the winners of the Challenge Cup qualify for the European Cup next season and Stade's victory maintains their hopes of salvaging something from a troubled campaign.