Toulouse Favored in Top 14 Final Against Montpellier

Toulouse faced Montpellier in the Top 14 final on Saturday, June 27, 2026, aiming to secure the French championship for the 2025/26 season. After a dominant semi-final performance, where Toulouse obliterated Racing 92 with a score of 71-17, they entered the final as favorites. Montpellier, however, also showcased their strength by overcoming Stade Francais 25-15 in their playoff.

The final reflected the season's top two clubs, with Toulouse finishing first and Montpellier second in the league table. The match took place at the iconic Stade de France, known for its electric atmosphere during significant sporting events. Montpellier arrived in the final boasting an impressive 11-game winning streak dating back to late March, including a title victory in the EPCR Challenge Cup against Ulster. Their last defeat came against Toulouse in the league earlier in the season.

Despite Montpellier's formidable form, predictions suggested that they might face a repeat of their earlier defeat at the hands of Toulouse. With players like Jack Willis, Antoine Dupont, and Julian Marchand, Toulouse featured a wealth of experience in high-pressure matches at the Stade de France. They also fielded a deep bench of established internationals, including a returning Thomas Ramos and the talented Thibaut Flament, able to maintain intensity throughout the match.

Toulouse was seeking to clinch their fourth consecutive title and solidify their status as the top club in world rugby. In contrast, Montpellier had celebrated a recent trophy win but aimed to make progress towards securing the Top 14 title. The last time a club other than Toulouse or Montpellier won the Top 14 was in 2018.

Toulouse's remarkable performance against Racing included the largest winning margin in a Top 14 semi-final, achieved without injured goalkicker Thomas Ramos. As they approached the final, Toulouse aimed to break their own record for the biggest Top 14 final win, which was set at 59-3 against Bordeaux in 2024.

Both teams' head-to-head records included:
- Toulouse 45-29 Montpellier (Top 14, March 26, 2026)
- Montpellier 44-14 Toulouse (Top 14, September 20, 2025)
- Toulouse 27-17 Montpellier (Top 14, January 25, 2025)
- Montpellier 11-20 Toulouse (Top 14, September 21, 2024)
- Montpellier 22-29 Toulouse (Top 14, May 18, 2024)

The final featured the following line-ups:
Toulouse:
1. Rodrigue Neti
2. Peato Mauvaka
3. Joel Merkler
4. Josh Brennan
5. Emmanuel Meafou
6. Francois Cros
7. Jack Willis
8. Alexandre Roumat
9. Antoine Dupont
10. Romain Ntamack
11. Mathias Lebel
12. Santiago Chocobares
13. Pierre-Louis Barassi
14. Teddy Thomas
15. Blair Kinghorn
Montpellier:
1. Baptiste Erdocio
2. Jordan Uelese
3. Mohamed Haouas
4. Florian Verhaeghe
5. Tyler Duguid
6. Lenni Nouchi (C)
7. Alexandre Becognee
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Ali Price
10. Domingo Miotti
11. Donovan Taofienua
12. Auguste Cadot
13. Arthur Vincent
14. Gabriel Ngandebe
15. Tom Banks

Referee Luc Ramos officiated the final, supported by assistants Pierre Brousset and Thomas Charabas, with Eric Gauzins serving as the television match official.