Tributes were paid to teenager Nicolas Chauvin before and after Stade Francais got the better of the Ospreys in Paris.
There were wins for Pau and Grenoble over Worcester Warriors and Agen respectively in the European Challenge Cup.
Montpellier's late rally did not deny Top 14 leaders Clermont Auvergne a 28-23 victory, while Guilhem Guirado scored a try in Toulon's win.
There was a dramatic win for Racing 92 in Top 14, as Toulouse went top but only after a battle at Pau.
Clermont Auvergne could only draw with lowly Grenoble and Toulouse took advantage by putting Bordeaux-Begles to the sword in the Top 14.
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.
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.
Mathieu Bastareaud was sent off but Toulon fought back to claim their first Top 14 victory of the campaign.
Castres overturned a 13-point deficit in the second half to beat Lyon in Saturday's Top 14 action.
Clermont Auvergne ran hot at the start of the new Top 14 season as the two promoted sides came up short in their opening...
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