Clermont still lead the way in Top 14, but Stade Francais remain on their heels after a late win over Montpellier.
Clermont still lead the way in Top 14, but Stade Francais remain on their heels after a late win over Montpellier.
Connacht had no answer to Chris Ashton, who enjoyed a hat-trick on his competitive debut for Sale Sharks.
Worcester Warriors had lost 11 away games in a row in the Challenge Cup, but ended that sequence with a brilliant showing in Paris.
Clermont’s advantage at the summit of the Top 14 table was reduced to four points after they were beaten at La Rochelle.
Top 14 leaders Clermont Auvergne put some daylight between themselves and second-place Stade Francais on Saturday.
Clermont Auvergne remain top of the table, but they suffered a first defeat of the Top 14 campaign at the hands of Bordeaux.
Greig Laidlaw kept his cool to maintain Clermont Auvergne’s perfect start to the new Top 14 season.
Clermont won an early top-of-the-table clash with Stade Francais, while there were also Top 14 victories for Racing 92, Toulouse and Lyon.
Clermont Auvergne made the most of a chaotic spell in which Racing 92 were reduced to 13 men, triumphing in Top 14 on Sunday.
Clermont Auvergne ran hot at the start of the new Top 14 season as the two promoted sides came up short in their opening outings.
Wesley Fofana has been at Clermont Auvergne since 2008 and is now set to remain at the club beyond his 35th birthday.
Ahead of the opening round of fixtures in the 2018-19 season, we pick out some of the best statistics surrounding the Top 14.
Racing 92, Lyon and Castres got the play-off outcomes they were hoping for in Top 14, while Stade Francais stay up despite suffering defeat.
Toulon moved up to second in the Top 14 table with victory over Castres, but no one can now catch leaders Montpellier.
Former England wing Chris Ashton scored a record 22nd Top 14 try of an outstanding debut season as Toulon beat the leaders at Stade Mayol.
Castres, Stade Francais, Lyon, Bordeaux-Begles and Agen were the winners on a busy day of Top 14 action.