Clermont defeat opens door for La Rochelle, Barba debuts in Toulon loss
La Rochelle will have the chance to open up a gap at the Top 14 summit when they visit Toulouse on Sunday, after leaders Clermont Auvergne went down 26-16 to Castres.
Anthony Jelonch's 68th-minute try proved decisive at Stade Pierre-Antoine, with impressive replacement Benjamin Urdapilleta converting and then adding a late drop-goal.
Clermont's failure to claim even a losing bonus point means they remain level on points with La Rochelle at the top of the table.
Ben Barba made his rugby union debut in a losing cause as Toulon were beaten 15-5 at Brive.
However, the former Cronulla Sharks full-back could hardly be blamed for Toulon's defeat, given he only entered the fray with four minutes remaining, shortly after Bryan Habana had scored a consolation try.
Thomas Laranjeira landed four penalties for Brive, after Gaetan Germain's three-pointer had opened the scoring.
The two sides at the foot of the table each claimed notable results on Saturday.
Bayonne claimed a 25-25 draw against a Pau side that had won their previous five matches, both sides managing a converted try and six penalties apiece.
Grenoble went one better, capitalising on the fifth-minute sending-off of Chris Masoe to beat Racing 92 19-10. Masoe was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Arnaud Heguy.
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I’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
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