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The Top 14 has a habit of reminding everyone that nothing comes easily in French rugby. Toulouse almost turned a comfortable victory into an embarrassing defeat, Bordeaux-Bègles strengthened their title credentials with a huge win in La Rochelle, and Toulon reminded Pau just how unforgiving a trip to the Stade Mayol can be. Elsewhere, Lyon silenced Bayonne's notoriously difficult home crowd, Montpellier added to Racing's problems and Vannes finally gave their supporters a reason to celebrate. Seven rounds in, Toulouse remain the team to catch, but the chasing pack is becoming increasingly interesting.
M. Sanerivi (56'), I. Iashagashvili (66'), F. Gorrissen (79')
Tries
B. Jauneau (24'), G. Dzmanashvili (45')
A. Bouthier (56', 66', 80')
Conversions
H. Plummer (25', 46')
J. Cotarmanac'h (29', 36')
Penalties
H. Plummer (9', 14', 34', 61')
There are victories that mean far more than four league points, and Vannes' dramatic comeback against Clermont certainly falls into that category. Six defeats from their opening six Top 14 fixtures had left the newly promoted Bretons rooted to the bottom of the table, and at 23-6 down early in the second half, another painful afternoon appeared inevitable. Instead, Vannes produced the sort of comeback that could transform the mood around the club. They gradually clawed their way back before captain Francisco Gorrissen crossed late on, leaving Anthony Bouthier with a conversion to snatch victory. He duly delivered, sending the Stade de la Rabine into celebration. Remarkably, Vannes finished with just 14 available players after an injury left them unable to make another replacement. Clermont, meanwhile, have now lost three consecutive league matches and four in all competitions, and Christophe Urios will be furious with the way his side allowed such a commanding advantage to disappear. Vannes are still bottom, but the season suddenly looks a little less bleak.
A. Cocagi (15')
Tries
S. Ezeala (8')
L. Brun (16')
Conversions
L. Brun (26', 52'), J. Fernandez (63')
Penalties
L. Carbonel (55')
Nobody goes to Castres expecting an afternoon of carefree attacking rugby, and Stade Français received another reminder of that reality. This was a contest built around physical confrontations, territorial pressure and the sort of defensive commitment that rarely makes the highlights but often decides matches. Samuel Ezeala gave the Parisians an early advantage, but Adrea Cocagi's response brought Castres back into the contest, and the hosts gradually took control through their kicking game and discipline. Louis Le Brun kept the scoreboard moving, while the Castres defence repeatedly frustrated a Stade Français side that struggled to turn possession into anything meaningful. Having started the domestic season slowly, Castres are beginning to find some much-needed consistency, with this victory following an encouraging European performance against Benetton. Their attacking game is hardly perfect, but Pierre Fabre remains a difficult place to collect points. For Stade Français, this was another frustrating example of a squad with plenty of individual quality failing to produce enough collective threat.
S. Ravutaumada (21'), J. Tuisova (66')
Tries
L. Akrab (2'), van Heerden (37'), D. Taofifenua (46')
A. Gibert (22', 67')
Conversions
A. Hastings (38')
A. Gibert (36')
Penalties
A. Hastings (58')
Racing's decision to take this home fixture to Le Mans didn't produce the change of fortune they might have hoped for. Montpellier arrived with an opportunity to strengthen their position in the top-six conversation and left with a valuable away victory, although they made considerably harder work of it than necessary. The visitors struck early through Lyam Akrab, before Racing responded with a try from Selestino Ravutaumada. Montpellier gradually established control, with Ruben van Heerden and Donovan Taofifenua helping build a ten-point second-half advantage. Josua Tuisova's powerful late finish gave Racing hope, and a potential Jordan Joseph try threatened to complete the comeback before being ruled out for obstruction. Montpellier held on, demonstrating the sort of composure needed to win tight away matches in this competition. Racing, meanwhile, are now languishing near the bottom of the standings. A squad featuring Tuisova and plenty of other international talent should not be finding victories quite so difficult to come by. The pressure is beginning to build.
G. Cramont (11', 31'), L. Coly (22')
Tries
T. Millet (8'), J. Wainiqolo (14'), G. Lorre (47'), B. Couilloud (55'), I. Masi (75')
J. Segonds (11', 22', 31')
Conversions
L. Berdeu (8', 47', 55')
J. Segonds (42', 74')
Penalties
Bayonne's Stade Jean Dauger has become one of the least welcoming destinations in French rugby, but Lyon clearly hadn't read the script. The hosts appeared to be in control after building a 21-12 half-time lead, and their impressive home record looked likely to continue. Lyon, however, were far from finished. Baptiste Couilloud and Gabin Lorre were among those who helped drag the visitors back into the contest, setting up a dramatic final few minutes. Joris Segonds appeared to have rescued Bayonne when his late penalty edged the hosts ahead 27-26, only for Lyon to produce one final attacking response. Jiuta Wainiqolo sparked the decisive counterattack, creating the opportunity for Iosefo Masi to cross and complete an outstanding away victory. It was Bayonne's first home league defeat of the season and a particularly painful way to lose it. For Lyon, this was the sort of result that can give a campaign genuine momentum. Winning away in the Top 14 is difficult enough. Winning at Bayonne after trailing late on is something else entirely.
M. Lebel (21', 48'), Penalty Try (23'), J. Brennan (40'), A. Jelonch (45'), T. Thomas (53')
Tries
L. Gallardo (37'), M. Granell (63'), M. Lotrian (71'), T. Ecochard (76'), M. Rabut (79')
B. Kinghorn (45', 48', 53')
Conversions
A. Aucagne (37', 71', 76', 79')
At one stage, Toulouse looked as though they might be heading towards another routine bonus-point victory. By the middle of the second half, the defending champions had established a 38-7 advantage, with Anthony Jelonch, Matthis Lebel and Teddy Thomas among those contributing to an impressive attacking display. What followed was about as far from routine as possible. Perpignan refused to accept the inevitable and launched an extraordinary comeback, scoring four consecutive tries to reduce the deficit to just five points. Maxim Granell, Mathys Lotrian, Maëlan Rabut and Tom Ecochard all helped turn what had looked like a procession into a frantic finish. Toulouse survived, but the late collapse cost them the attacking bonus point and left Ugo Mola with plenty to address. Six consecutive league wins and first place in the table should make for a reasonably happy camp, yet conceding 26 unanswered points is hardly championship-winning defending. Perpignan will be frustrated not to have completed the comeback, but there was enough fight in that final quarter to suggest they are capable of troubling considerably stronger opposition than their league position might indicate.
M. Jaminet (8', 21', 32'), H. Jones (36'), O. Cowie (44'), B. Gigashvili (50')
Tries
S. Tokolahi (60'), S. Grondona (69')
M. Jaminet (22', 37', 45', 51')
Conversions
A. Desperes (60', 69')
M. Jaminet (80')
Penalties
A. Desperes (11', 16')
Pau arrived at the Stade Mayol among the early pace-setters, but Melvyn Jaminet ensured their evening went downhill rather quickly. The Toulon full-back produced a stunning first-half hat-trick, crossing three times before the interval as the hosts established a commanding 24-6 advantage. Jaminet finished with 26 individual points, a reminder of the attacking quality Toulon possess when their most influential players find form. Huw Jones, Oliver Cowie and Beka Gigashvili also crossed as the home side secured a six-try bonus-point victory. Pau did manage two late tries to make the scoreline more respectable, but the contest had effectively been decided long before then. For Toulon, the performance was particularly encouraging after an inconsistent opening to the season. Their squad has the quality to challenge much higher up the table, but they have not always delivered the sort of ruthless performances expected at Mayol. Pau remain firmly in the conversation near the top, although this was a timely reminder that their impressive start does not make them immune to a difficult evening away from home.
T. McFarland (36'), S. Lagivala (53'), A. Timo (78')
Tries
C. SADIE (24')
A. Hastoy (36'), V. Bouju (53')
Conversions
H. Reus (24')
Penalties
H. Reus (20', 28', 32', 39', 56', 70')
If Bordeaux-Bègles needed a result to underline their championship ambitions, winning at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre was a pretty convincing way to do it. La Rochelle have made their home ground one of the most intimidating venues in European club rugby, but Bordeaux arrived with a clear plan and executed it superbly. Former La Rochelle fly-half Hugo Reus was the decisive figure, contributing 20 points from the kicking tee and repeatedly punishing the hosts' indiscipline. Carlu Sadie scored Bordeaux's only try, but this was a victory built on territorial control, defensive organisation and taking opportunities rather than chasing attacking headlines. La Rochelle actually crossed three times themselves, yet too many mistakes and penalties prevented them from establishing any sustained momentum. For Bordeaux, the result was a major statement, especially after a demanding run of away fixtures. They climb to second place, five points behind Toulouse, and look increasingly capable of competing at the very top. La Rochelle remain in the play-off positions, but losing twice at home this early in the campaign is not something Ronan O'Gara will be particularly pleased about.
Toulouse remain out in front on 28 points, but their defensive collapse against Perpignan will have given the chasing teams plenty to think about. Bordeaux-Bègles are now their closest challengers on 23, with Pau just behind on 22 despite their difficult trip to Toulon. The real congestion comes immediately below, where La Rochelle, Lyon, Bayonne and Montpellier are all level on 18 points. One result can transform the table, and with international selections beginning to affect squad availability, the importance of depth is only going to increase. At the other end, Racing and Clermont are struggling to find consistency, while Vannes finally have a victory to build on. Seven rounds into the Top 14, it is clear that Toulouse are setting the pace. Whether anyone can maintain the consistency required to stay with them is the bigger question.
