Top 14 leaders Clermont hang on to beat Montpellier

Clermont Auvergne held on despite a late Montpellier rally to claim a 28-23 win that extended their advantage at the top of the Top 14 table to eight points.

Clermont appeared to be cruising with 16 minutes to go when 28-9 ahead, with Wesley Fofana, Damian Penaud and Isaia Toeava having all crossed in the opening hour.

However, Vincent Giudicelli and Yvan Reilhac scored Montpellier’s tries late on to ensure a nervy finish for the league leaders, who held on for their eighth win from their first 11 games.

France internationals Mathieu Bastareaud and Guilhem Guirado were among the try-scorers as Toulon staged a second-half fightback to beat Grenoble 22-3.

#TOP14 #MHRASM | J11
 L’ @ASMOfficiel remporte une victoire précieuse à l’extérieur face au @MHR_officiel ! pic.twitter.com/8ANw5yaTmv

— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) December 1, 2018

France internationals Mathieu Bastareaud and Guilhem Guirado were among the try-scorers as Toulon turned on the style in the second half to beat Grenoble 22-3.

Toulon were locked at 3-3 at half-time, but Bastareaud, Josua Tuisova and Guirado all crossed to ensure a relatively routine win.

Guirado’s score came two days after the France captain had revealed he would be joining Montpellier at the end of the season.

La Rochelle moved above Racing 92 thanks to a narrow 16-11 success, with Pierre Aguillon the victors’ only try-scorer and Ihaia West slotting over three penalties.

Lyon’s success over Pau was more convincing as five players went over in a 30-10 victory.

Toby Arnold, Jean-Marcellin Buttin and Liam Gill all scored prior to the interval, while Virgile Lacombe and Charlie Ngatai added further tries after the break.

Andres Zafra Tarazona’s 78th-minute try earned Agen a dramatic 16-13 win over Castres.

Benjamin Urdapilleta’s second penalty 10 minutes from time left Agen needing their first try to secure the victory and they got it late on as Zafra delivered a triumph for his team over the reigning champions.

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta