Top 14: Juan Cruz Mallia Hat-Trick helps Toulouse crush Toulon in dramatic fashion

Argentina star Juan Cruz Mallia and Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn pulled out all the stops in this one-sided victory, as Toulouse are once again the team to beat in the premier flight of French club rugby. Whilst the stars of the international stage will soon depart their clubs, the Top 14 continues for one more round of action ahead of the Autumn Nations Series break.

La Rochelle claimed their first away win of the season with a commanding 36-19 victory over Lyon at Stade Gerland, finally finding their rhythm under Ronan O’Gara. The visitors raced into an early lead thanks to Ihaia West, Davit Niniashvili, and Paul Boudehent, who scored twice in a dominant opening half. Lyon fought back through Jiuta Wainiqolo’s brace and a try from Thomas Moukoro, keeping the contest lively, but La Rochelle held a 28-19 advantage at halftime.

In the second half, La Rochelle’s forwards controlled the set-piece and their defence limited Lyon’s attacking opportunities. Nolann Le Garrec added a penalty early on to extend the lead, and Quentin Lespiaucq-Brettes crossed late to seal the win. Christian Luaki also touched down in the final moments, though a TMO review denied the bonus-point try. O’Gara praised his side’s organisation and energy, highlighting the victory as a benchmark for their away performances this season. Lyon’s attacking flair was evident, with Wainiqolo and Moukoro excelling, but they could not match La Rochelle’s cohesion and clinical finishing. The win moves La Rochelle level with Toulouse on the table, keeping them firmly in contention for the Top 14’s upper echelons.

LYON: 19
TRIES: Wainiqolo 2, Moukoro
CONVERSIONS: Berdeu 2

LA ROCHELLE: 36
TRIES: West, Niniashvili, Boudehent 2, Lespiaucq-Brettes
CONVERSIONS: Le Garrec 4
PENALTIES: Le Garrec

Promoted Montauban celebrated their first Top 14 victory in 15 years, edging Perpignan 29-22 at Stade Sapiac in a thrilling encounter. The hosts struck early with tries from JT Jackson and Noa Kanika, setting the platform for Jérôme Bosviel’s five penalties, which extended the lead and kept Perpignan at bay. Despite trailing, the visitors remained competitive, with Ignacio Ruiz scoring a try and Tomasso Allan landing four penalties to keep the contest close.

Perpignan had opportunities to challenge, but Montauban’s organised defence and tactical kicking prevented a comeback. Bosviel’s accuracy under pressure proved decisive, while the forwards dominated the breakdown and secured possession for key attacking platforms. The win lifts Montauban off the bottom of the table, giving them momentum heading into the international break. Perpignan remain in relegation trouble, suffering their eighth defeat of the season and now seven points adrift of safety.

TRIES: Jackson, Kanika

CONVERSIONS: Bosviel 2

PENALTIES: Bosviel 5

TRIES: Ruiz

CONVERSIONS: Allan

PENALTIES: Allan 5

Bordeaux-Bègles recorded a dominant 41-12 victory over Bayonne at Matmut Atlantique, with Maxime Lucu orchestrating the attack and landing 21 points through conversions and a penalty. The home side scored five tries, with Damian Penaud crossing twice, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Salesi Rayasi, Xan Mosques and Pierre Boachaton adding their names to the scoresheet. Bordeaux’s ball retention, fast recycling, and aggressive defence left Bayonne struggling to gain any foothold in the match.

Bayonne’s resistance was limited to two tries from Sireli Maqala and Cheikh Tiberghien, but they were largely unable to breach Bordeaux’s defensive line. The win marks back-to-back victories for the club and provides a platform for continued momentum as the season progresses. Bayonne, meanwhile, remain in sixth place ahead of the international break. Lucu’s leadership and the backs’ execution highlighted Bordeaux’s growing confidence this season.

BORDEAUX-BÈGLES: 41
TRIES: Penaud 2, Bielle-Biarrey, Rayasi, Mousques, Bochaton
CONVERSIONS: Lucu 4
PENALTIES: Lucu

BAYONNE: 12

TRIES: Maqala, Tiberghien

CONVERSION: Anscombe

Clermont delivered a dominant 63-14 victory over Castres at Stade Marcel Michelin, turning a 14-6 halftime lead into a second-half rout. The hosts’ forwards imposed themselves through powerful carries and quick ball recycling, creating multiple scoring opportunities. Tries came from Etienne Falgoux, Baptiste Jauneau, Folau Fainga’a, Pita Gus Sowakula, Joris Jurand, Pio Muarua, and a brace from Alivereti Loaloa, demonstrating the depth and skill of the Clermont squad.

Castres struggled to contain Clermont’s pace and physicality, managing only one try from Simon Meka and three penalties from Jeremy Fernandez. Despite their best efforts, Castres were consistently outpaced and outmuscled, particularly in the second half, allowing Clermont to secure the bonus-point win comfortably.

TRIES: Penalty Try, Falgoux, Jauneau, Fainga’a, Sowakula, Jurand, Muarua, Loaloa 2

CONVERSIONS: Plummer 6, Raffy 2

CASTRES: 14

TRIES: Meka

PENALTIES: Fernandez 3

Racing 92 narrowly defeated Pau 15-10 at Stade Yves-du-Manoir in a tightly contested game dominated by tactical kicking and forward exchanges. Ugo Seunes landed all five of Racing’s penalties, exploiting Pau’s repeated infringements and controlling territory. Despite this, Pau remained competitive, relying on penalties to stay within touching distance and contesting possession at the breakdown.

Pau broke through for two unconverted tries, as Emilien Gailleton and Jack Maddocks muscled their way in for first half scores. Racing’s forwards secured quality ball for their halfbacks, while Pau defended resolutely but were unable to convert pressure into points. The win keeps Racing in touch with the upper echelons of the Top 14 table, while Pau will reflect on missed opportunities as they drop from first to third.

PENALTIES: Seunes 5

TRIES: Gailleton, Maddocks

Stade Français claimed a convincing 35-12 bonus-point victory over Montpellier at Stade Jean Bouin, with tries from Noah Nene (2), Peniasi Dakuwaqa (2), and Tanginoa Halaifonua. Montpellier only threatened late, scoring two consolation tries through Scotland hopeful Alex Masibaka and Gabriel N'gandebe, but were otherwise outplayed across the pitch.

Stade Français dominated possession, with strong set-piece execution and accurate kicking from Louis Carbonel, who converted five attempts. Their backline exploited overlaps and created consistent line breaks, while the forwards secured the ball for continuity in attack. Montpellier’s defence held early, but fatigue and mistakes allowed Stade Français to extend their lead. The result gives the Parisians a confidence boost and a full complement of points before the international break, whereas Montpellier must address defensive lapses and cohesion issues.

TRIES: Nene 2, Dakuwaqa 2, Halaifonua

CONVERSIONS: Carbonel 5

TRIES: Masibaka, Ngandebe

CONVERSION: Vincent

Toulouse overwhelmed a rotated Toulon side 59-24 at Stadium de Toulouse, with Juan Cruz Mallia scoring a hat-trick, supported by Julien Marchand, Romain Ntamack, Ange Capuozzo, Thomas Ramos, and Guillaume Cramont. Toulon’s three tries were supplied by a Mathis Ferte brace and a subsequent score from Mateo Garcia, but Toulon were unable to contain the home side’s relentless attacking waves.

Toulouse secured the bonus point early, with Mallia’s finishing, Ntamack’s distribution, and Capuozzo’s breathless pace underlining their superiority. Toulon’s rotated squad showed promise, but defensive errors and inconsistent discipline prevented them from mounting a sustained challenge.

TRIES: Mallia 3, Marchand, Ntamack, Capuozzo, Ramos, Cramont

CONVERSIONS: Kinghorn 4, Ramos 4

PENALTIES: Kinghorn

TRIES: Ferte 2, Smaili

CONVERSIONS: Jaminet 2, Garcia

PENALTIES: Jaminet