Before we turn our attention to next weekend's European semi-finals - featuring no less than four French sides - FRC felt it was time to reflect on the ramifications of Top 14's latest results in the penultimate round of league fixtures.

Top 14: Round 25 Review

Top 14 League Table 2010/11

There are still plenty of unresolved questions with one match left to play, but the fog is beginning to clear in terms of what can and cannot be achieved regarding Top 14's end of season play-offs.

So, what are the facts as we know them so far?

(1) We know... Bourgoin and La Rochelle (14th and 13th respectively) are both definitely relegated, with Bourgoin going down on the back of the worst ever run of results in Top 14 (16 consecutive defeats and counting!)

(2) We know... Leaders Stade Toulousain are guaranteed a semi-final play-off berth as they are now six points ahead of third-placed Clermont Auvergne - their opponents in the final round of league matches on May 7th.

(3) We know... Racing-Métro 92, Clermont Auvergne and Castres are all qualified for the play-offs, with all three teams still fighting it out to secure the second semi-final berth.

(4) We know... 2009 champions and 2010 runners-up Perpignan cannot now qualify for this season's league play-offs.

(5) We know... that Racing-Métro 92 will go straight through to the play-off semi-finals if they win at Stade Francais in their final game. Form this season dictates an away win for Racing, and there are two other factors weighing in the favour of Pierre Berbizier's side: Stade Francais will either (a) be resting players after winning their ACC semi-final against Clermont Auvergne or (b) be thoroughly dejected after losing and thus failing to qualify for next season's Heineken Cup.

(6) We know... that the winner of the clash between Montpellier and Toulon will go through to the play-offs. It does, however, become a little complicated at this point as Toulon could yet go through if they are beaten but manage to pick up a losing bonus.

(7) We know... that Biarritz will also go through to the play-offs as they will inevitably win at home to Bourgoin, and probably with the attacking bonus.

And here's some conjecture...

(8) We suspect... Racing-Métro will win at Stade Francais and thus finish on 78 or 79 points to claim the second semi-final berth.

(9) We suspect... Clermont Auvergne will win at Stade Toulousain on the final weekend as their hosts will be resting players after their Heineken Cup semi-final away to Leinster and ahead of their Top 14 semi-final. That would give Clermont 76 or 77 points.

(10) We suspect.... Clermont's win will be enough to secure them third place (and thus a home quarter-final) as Castres are away to Perpignan. The Catalans may have the Heineken Cup final on their mind (if they win away to Northampton Saints next weekend), but they will surely not want to end their season with another home defeat.

(11) We suspect... Toulon will win away to Montpellier and thus (a) secure their own play-off berth while (b) simultaneously denying Berbizier's side that honour.

(12) We suspect... Bayonne will win away to La Rochelle, possibly with the attacking bonus, but that it still won't be enough to earn them qualification for the play-offs.

Which all means...

We believe the final six positions will be thus:
1st - Stade Toulousain 79 pts
2nd - Racing-Métro 78 pts
3rd - Clermont Auvergne 76 pts
4th - Toulon 74 pts
5th - Castres 73 pts
6th - Biarritz 73 pts

Which could see the following play-off line-ups:

Clermont Auvergne v Biarritz (qf 1) - winner Clermont Auvergne
Toulon v Castres (qf 2) - winner Toulon

Which could then see the following semi-finals:

Stade Toulousain v Toulon
Racing-Métro 92 v Clermont Auvergne

Which could thus produce the following final:

Stade Toulousain v Clermont Auvergne... or not