Stade Toulousain has secured a victory at Montpellier’s Ernest-Wallon stadium and will now face Castres in a significant regional derby in Occitanie. However, the team may use this match as an opportunity to rest some of its key players, who have already played in the first four matches of the Top 14 season. As they approach the fifth round with confidence, Stade Toulousain coach Ugo Mola might be without several important players for the trip to Castres. Among those potentially protected by the agreement between the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the French Rugby League (LNR), which limits the number of international players per team, Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack are likely to be included. At Toulouse, many players are part of this list, but few have played all four matches so far. Given that, Dupont and Ntamack may be rested on Saturday. This would give other players the chance to step up and show their abilities. Thomas Ramos and Thibaud Flament could also be affected by the protected player list. While Ramos has only played three matches this season and is a natural candidate to play at Castres, the decision is more complex for Flament, the captain of the lineout. With Meafou and Vergé sidelined for extended periods, Joshua Brennan might also be rested, having started three games in a row. Although he was replaced by Romeo Martin-Bonnard during the match against Montpellier, Brennan could be out for this game. It is likely that either Flament or Brennan will be chosen to start. Joël Merkler, who has filled in at lock, and Heinz Lemoto, a young flanker who made a big impression last season, could also see action. Mathias Remue, a strong performer at fullback, may also be called upon to support the team’s backline. In recent encounters, Stade Toulousain has dominated Castres, winning four of the last five derbies, including a 42-25 victory at Pierre-Fabre stadium in April. While Castres has had a more uneven start to the season, with two wins and two losses, they remain undefeated at home this season. Meanwhile, Toulouse has shown strong momentum with three consecutive wins, despite their only away game so far ending in defeat at La Rochelle. With so many players out and potential returns, the likely starting lineup for Toulouse in the derby remains uncertain. However, certain details are already emerging. Two days after their bonus-point victory over Montpellier (40-18) and following their Rugby Night celebration on Monday, Stade Toulousain resumed training on Tuesday. The first team session is expected to take place in the afternoon, with more clarity likely on Wednesday. With 20 injuries currently affecting the squad, it is easier to imagine the starting lineup that Ugo Mola and his staff might choose for the derby. On Saturday evening, Toulouse will make their shortest trip of the season to Pierre-Fabre to face Castres. Presumably, they will be without Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, who have played in the first four matches of the season. Whether they are among the 33 protected players or not, the two long-time teammates will need to be managed carefully by the coaching staff.