Toulon lose again, the fifth time in seven outings

Stade Francais overcame reigning champions Castres 14-9 on the road to move up to second place in the Top 14 table.

Julien Arias registered the only try of the game while Jules Plisson overcame an early cut on his head to kick nine points, helping Stade bounce back from a defeat against Paris rivals Racing 92 last time out.

The visitors led 9-0 at the break thanks to Plisson's boot and while Rory Kockott cut the deficit with a penalty, winger Arias capitalised on a grubber kick to score seven minutes into the second half.

Castres were unable to avoid slipping to a first home loss of the season, albeit a pair of penalties from Kockott at least secured a losing bonus point.

Also on Sunday, Montpellier scored four tries as they recorded a 29-17 triumph over struggling Toulon.

Benjamin Fall and Timoci Nagusa went over to give the home side a 14-10 lead at the break, while Jan Serfontein and Louis Picamoles added further tries in the second half for last season’s beaten finalists.

The result leaves Toulon in 12th place in the table, having suffered a fifth loss in seven league outings.

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