The Battle for Top 14 status heats up in the final round of the PROD2

There is still plenty to play for in the final round of PRO D2 action this weekend with playoffs just around the corner.

How Promotion to Top 14 works

The playoffs for PRO D2 has changed since last season with the top two sides going straight to the semi-finals while the teams in third and fourth place will host the 5th and 6th placed sides in a playoff match. The winners of the semi-finals will then face off in the final, with the winner of that match automatically qualifying for the 2018/19 Top 14 season, while the loser will face the side that finishes second last on the Top 14 match in a promotion/relegation match. 

As it stands the losing finalist will face off against Brive, however, there are three rounds of Top 14 action left to play with 15 points separating 10th placed Clermont and bottom of the table Oyonnax. 

Top 6 Permutations

Perpignan and Mountauban have both secured home semi-finals but the final round of regular season action will determine who finishes in first and second place, with both sides currently on 92 league points.

Perpignan face off against 14th placed Carcassone who have avoided relegation and can only move up one place with a victory. Meanwhile, Montauban travel to Biarritz who have secured a playoff spot but a bonus point win could see them move up to 5th. Beziers could secure a home playoff if they secure a bonus point win over Nevers and Mont-de-Marsan or Grenoble fail to earn a single log point this weekend.

Reverse fixtures

Perpignan got the better of Carcassone away from home the last time they faced off, winning the match 19-29. Biarritz will be hoping for a better performance than they had the last time they faced Montauban as they went down by 23 points. Grenoble will be confident they can retain third place having beaten Angouleme 25-20 earlier in the season. Mont-de-Marsan face a tough task when they face Aurillac, as they were only able to beat Aurillac by a single point at home earlier in the season. Beziers did get the better of Nevers they last time they faced off by 7 points and will be hoping they can improve on their previous win in order to secure a home playoff. 

Predictions

Perpignan v Carcassonne - Bonus point win for Perpignan

Biarritz v Montauban - Biarritz by less than 5

Angouleme v Grenoble - Bonus point win for Grenoble 

Aurrilac v Mont-de-Marsan - 10 point win for Mont-de-Marsan

Beziers v Nevers - Beziers by less than 5