TOP 14: Round 6 - Toulouse hammer Bordeaux as Jack Willis stars against European Champions

Elsewhere in the French first division, former Exeter Chiefs linchpin Joe Simmonds had a stunning match for Pau, as he steered his side clear of a valiant Bayonne effort. Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle came undone by Stade Francais, in a tense fight to the finish in the French capital, whilst Clermont Auvergne put in a resounding performance against RC Toulon to keep their winning momentum moving forward.

Pau continued their strong start to the Top 14 season with a commanding 47-24 win over Bayonne, securing their fourth victory in six games. The hosts raced into a 20-10 halftime lead thanks to first-half tries from Grégoire Arfeuil and hooker Lucas Rey, with fly-half Joe Simmonds contributing two conversions and two penalties.

Bayonne, fresh off a shock win over Toulouse last weekend, responded through Fiji centre Sireli Maqala, but Pau’s dominance was clear after the break. Simmonds added further points with a try and multiple conversions, while Simmonds, Youri Delhommel, and fullback Isa crossed for second-half scores.

Despite late tries from Gianni Giudicelli and winger Spring, the visitors could not close the gap as Pau’s firepower proved too strong. Pau captain Fabien Brau-Boirie praised the team’s growing confidence after the game, signaling their intent to challenge the league’s top sides.

TRIES: Arfeuil 23’, 80’; Rey 36’; Simmonds 53’; Delhommel 58’; Isa 80’

CONS: Simmonds 24’, 36’, 54’, 59’

PENS: Simmonds 4’, 18’, 50’

BAYONNE: 24

TRIES: Maqala 32’; Giudicelli 62’; Spring 80’

CONS: Segonds 33’, 63’, 80’

PEN: Segonds 40’

HT: 20-10

Racing 92 held on for a thrilling 32-25 victory over Montpellier in a pulsating Top 14 clash that saw both teams trade blows throughout. The game started at a frenetic pace with Racing flying out of the blocks as Wilfried Hulleu scored inside two minutes following a slick backs move. Montpellier responded immediately, with Wilfrid Hounkpatin touching down a minute later, leveling the scores at 5-5 after early penalties from both sides.

The first half ended all square at 13-13, with Ugo Seunes and Arthur Vincent trading penalties and conversions. Racing seized the initiative just after the hour mark with a try from Jordan Joseph, converted by Prisciantelli, while Hulleu added his second try shortly after to extend the lead.

Montpellier fought back through second-half efforts from Lenni Nouchi and flanker Marco Tauleigne, keeping the contest alive. However, a late score from Fijian winger Vinaya Habosi secured the win for Racing, who showed resilience and composure to hold off a dangerous Montpellier side. The result keeps Racing firmly in the hunt at the top of the table.

RACING 92: 32

TRIES: Hulleu 2’, 53’; Joseph 50’; Habosi 77’

CONS: Seunes 3’, Prisciantelli 50’, 54’

PENS: Seunes 17’, 35’

MONTPELLIER: 25

TRIES: Hounkpatin 8’; Nouchi 60’; Tauleigne 74’

CONS: Vincent 9’, Reus 75’

PENS: Vincent 5’, 25’

HT: 13-13

Castres edged a dramatic 32-28 victory over promoted Montauban in a pulsating Top 14 encounter that showcased a second-half comeback from the hosts. The game burst into life early, with Castres’ Nathanael Hulleu scoring two first-half tries in the 5th and 17th minutes, complemented by scores from Teddy Durand and Theo Chabouni. Fullback Enzo Hervé added three conversions, giving Castres a commanding 26-7 lead at the interval.

Montauban hit back after the break, showing remarkable resilience. Segundo Tuculet crossed just before halftime, while second-half tries from Jeremie Maurouard, Baptiste Mouchous, and Lucas Seyrolle, combined with accurate conversions from Jermome Bosviel, brought Montauban within four points of a shock victory.

Castres, however, steadied in the final quarter with penalties from Hervé, maintaining their edge as the visitors’ experience and composure saw them claim a tense victory. Montauban’s spirited fightback, while impressive, fell just short against a clinical Castres side determined to secure the win on the road.

TRIES: Tuculet 40’; Maurouard 62’; Mouchous 70’; Seyrolle 77’

CONS: Bosviel 40’, 62’, 71’, 78’

CASTRES: 32

TRIES Hulleu 5’, 17’; Durand 24’; Chabouni 32’

CONS: Hervé 6’, 25’, 33’

PENS: Hervé 66’, 74’

HT: 7-26

Stade Français held on for a thrilling 26-24 win over La Rochelle in a pulsating Top 14 clash at Stade Jean-Bouin. Despite back-to-back away defeats leaving them 12th in the table, Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle side produced a committed, near-flawless performance, pushing the Parisians to the brink.

The hosts led 20-12 with 11 minutes remaining, thanks to tries from Melikidze and Dakuwaqa, both converted by Louis Carbonel. La Rochelle’s Georgian recruit Niniashvili sparked a late fightback with a stunning try, before Oscar Jegou crossed following a five-metre lineout. Antoine Hastoy’s conversion brought La Rochelle within two points, but Carbonel’s 40-metre penalty in the closing seconds sealed the victory for Stade Français.

O’Gara praised his team’s performance despite the loss, noting their focus and execution for 75 minutes, while hooker Pierre Bourgarit highlighted the discipline and commitment that brought them close to a comeback. For Stade Français, the win marked a tense but deserved triumph in a messy, enthralling encounter.

STADE FRANCAIS: 26

TRIES: Melikidze 40’; Dakuwaqa 55’

CONS: Carbonel 40’, 55’

PENS: Carbonel 48’, 67’, 74’, 80’

TRIES: Niniashvili 69’; Jegou 78’

CONS: Hastoy 79’

PENS: Hastoy 28’, 32’, 53’, 62’

HT: 7-6

Lyon returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 44-19 victory over a struggling Perpignan at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland. After a close first half, the hosts pulled away in the second period with a series of clinical finishes and accurate goal-kicking from Leo Berdeu.

Perpignan started brightly, with Tedder penalties keeping them in touch, and first-half tries from Oviedo and Le Corvec bringing the score to 13-9. However, Lyon’s attacking power proved decisive after the interval. Wainiqolo crossed twice, supported by tries from Moukoro and Maraku, while Cassang had opened the scoring in the first half. Berdeu’s conversions and a precision drop goal extended the lead, with Lorre also adding a conversion to cap a dominant display.

The result leaves Lyon mid-table but with momentum restored, while Perpignan remain rooted at the bottom, having now lost all six of their opening Top 14 fixtures. The hosts showed off pace, composure, and depth in attack, making the difference against a determined but undermanned visiting side.

LYON OU: 44

TRIES: Cassang 19’; Wainiqolo 50’, 76’; Moukoro 60’; Maraku 73’

CONS: Berdeu 19’, 51’, 74’, 77’; Lorre 61’

PENS: Berdeu 11’, 37’

DROP GOAL: Berdeu 41’

USA PERPIGNAN: 19

TRIES: Oviedo 46’; Le Corvec 54’

CONS: Berdeu 61’

PENS: Tedder 1’, 32’, 36’

HT: 13-9

ASM Clermont Auvergne secured a comfortable 27-10 victory over Toulon at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin, continuing their strong start to the Top 14 season. The hosts established dominance early, opening the scoring with a penalty try in the 17th minute and quickly following up with a penalty from Plummer.

Clermont’s Australian wing Alex Newsome was the standout performer, scoring two tries (30’, 48’) which were expertly converted by Plummer to extend the lead. Toulon struggled to impose themselves in the first half and only managed a single penalty from Jaminet, leaving them 20-3 behind at the break.

The second half saw Toulon finally cross the line through Ex England and Gloucester man Zach Mercer (56’), converted by Jaminet, but Clermont’s control of territory and discipline kept the visitors at bay. Plummer’s earlier penalties helped maintain the momentum, and the hosts’ cohesive forward play and quick recycling ensured Toulon could not mount a comeback.

Clermont take a well-earned win, consolidating their position in the upper half of the table, while Toulon remain under pressure after a second successive defeat.

ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE: 27

TRIES: Penalty try 17’; Newsome 30’, 48’

CONS: Plummer 30’, 48’

PENS: Plummer 11’, 37’

TRIES: Mercer 56’

CONS: Jaminet 56'

PEN: Jaminet 28’

HT: 20-3

Toulouse delivered a statement performance against Union Bordeaux-Bègles, cruising to a 56-13 victory at Stade Ernest-Wallon in the first meeting between the sides since the epic 2025 Top 14 Final. The reigning French champions, still without Antoine Dupont, were clinical in attack and ruthless in defence, leaving UBB struggling to keep pace.

Jack Willis set the tone inside four minutes, with Romain Ramos adding the conversion. Toulouse continued their dominance through Gourgues (19’), Flament (23’), Elias (31’), and Capuozzo (36’), all converted by Ramos, racing to a 35-3 half-time lead. Bordeaux managed a penalty from Laharrague (18’) but were largely overwhelmed.

After the break, Toulouse maintained control with Graou (47’), Jelonch (59’) and Lebel (75’) touching down, Ramos adding further conversions. Depoortere crossed twice (45’, 80’) for UBB, but it could not stem the tide of Toulouse’s relentless attack. This victory signals Toulouse’s intent to dominate the Top 14, with their blend of experience and clinical execution marking them as strong favorites.

TRIES: Willis 4’, Gourgues 19’, Flament 23’, Elias 31’, Capuozzo 36’, Graou 47’, Jelonch 59’, Lebel 75’

Cons: Ramos 5’, 20’, 24’, 32’, 37’, 48’, 60’, 76’

TRIES: Depoortere 45’, 80’

Pen: Laharrague 18’

HT: 35-3