This Week's Biggest Matches on Rugby Pass

We preview the best matches to catch on Rugby Pass this weekend as the Premiership and Top 14 get festive with some tasty top-of-the-table clashes.

Top 14: Clermont vs Paris (Saturday December 24, 2:00am HKT)
Clermont are one of the most fun teams to watch in Europe at the moment. They return to Top 14 action this weekend after an entertaining home-and-away battle with Ulster which saw them suffer a rare loss at Kingspan before exacting swift revenge back at Stade Marcel-Michelin. They are at home again on Saturday against Stade Francais, who sit a ninth on the table, a couple of wins off the pace of the playoffs race. They’re unlikely to make any advance on that front against Clermont, but if the last fortnight is any guide it should be an entertaining encounter nonetheless.

Aviva Premiership: Northampton vs Sale (Saturday December 24, 3:45am HKT)
Fair to say these are two clubs having disappointing seasons so far. Ninth and tenth on the table and both coming off back-to-back losses in the Champions Cup it’s a tough time to be a Saints or a Sharks supporter. Saints had the worse fortnight in Europe, being smashed twice to Leinster including a 60-13 rout in Dublin last weekend. Sharks at least held Saracing within arms reach for most of their game at AJ Bell Stadium, and they could be in with a chance to leapfrog Saints on the Premiership table on Saturday.

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Top 14: Montpellier vs Toulon (Saturday December 24, 4:00am HKT)
The game of the week in France sees second-placed Montpellier host third-placed Toulon with only a point separating them on the table. Both took a win and a loss from the Champions Cup break, Toulon being upset by Scarlets in Llanelli last weekend and Montpellier sharing the spoils with Castres. Home advantage tips this is Montpellier’s favour; their simple, effective game plan built on stultifying defence is hard to break down, but if Toulon play to their potential they are one of the few teams in France who capable of doing it.

Aviva Premiership: Wasps vs Bath (Saturday December 24, 10:00pm HKT)
If Saints and Sharks’ fortunes are stuck in reverse this season then Bath have had the accelerator to the floor for the first few months; Todd Blackadder’s side currently sit 3rd on the Premiership table and top of their Challenge Cup group. They are travelling nicely, but Wasps are doing even better – but then that’s no surprise. They sit just a point behind Saracens on the Premiership table and top of their Champions Cup group and, home advantage being what it is, should get the W at Ricoh Arena on Saturday. Bath will make them work for it though.