Euro finalists slump in France
Top 14 leading pair Toulon and Clermont suffered shock defeats on Saturday, just a week before they collide in the European Champions Cup Final.
Defending French and European champions Toulon went down 29-32 at La Rochelle.
But they remain in top position after Clermont were crushed 31-10 by relegation-haunted Castres.
Australian centre Mali Hingano's try in the last move of the match gave La Rochelle a thrilling win over Toulon.
The 23-year-old – one of four try scorers for the hosts – produced a delightful pivot to go over and touch down and the significance of the score was reflected in the celebrations with head coach Patrice Collazo bursting into tears.
Springbok Peter Grant added the extras leaving the losers, who showed 14 changes from the starting line-up that beat Leinster in last week's European Champions Cup semifinals, at least the consolation of a bonus defensive point.
"It is magical, it is for these moments that we play this game," said La Rochelle's France international flank Loann Goujon.
It was tough on Toulon flyhalf Frederic Michalak who contributed 19 points to give himself a chance of playing in next weekend's Twickenham Final against Clermont.
La Rochelle went ahead with a splendid fourth-minute try by right wing Alofa Alofa who chipped over the Toulon defence and ran on to touch down – converted by Fabien Fortassin for 7-3.
However, Toulon struck back immediately, stretching the La Rochelle defence before Josua Tuisova went in, in the right-hand corner – Michalak converted for 10-7.
A pulsating encounter then saw 39-year-old veteran Sireli Bobo display all his experience in seeing a gap and bursting through to touch down under the posts for his 50th try in elite French rugby – Fortassin converted for 14-10.
Mamuka Gorgodze did his prospects of playing some part in the European Champions Cup final no harm when he went over for the visitors' second try.
Michalak, who had landed a penalty prior to that, converted for 20-14. However, the hosts struck back.
Impressive teenage centre Elliott Roudil placed a perfect grubber kick behind the Toulon defence and fullback Kini Murimurivalu had the legs to get to the ball first and touch down.
The hosts were denied a clear try five minutes from the break when scrum-half Julien Audy went over but the referee, instead of reviewing the move, awarded them a penalty which Fortassin converted for 22-20.
Toulon regained the lead with another Michalak penalty in the 54th minute.
Michalak added another penalty but Grant reduced the deficit to a point before Michalak knocked over another three pointer for 29-25.
However, that was not enough as the hosts stole it at the end.
Castres ran in five tries to defeat second-placed Clermont with winger Remy Grosso grabbing a hat-trick in the bonus point win.
Former All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Yannick Forestier also crossed for the 2013 champions whose margin of victory could have been greater had Rory Kockott not missed four kicks at goal.
Grosso's second try was a gem, set up by two spectacular off-loads from Remi Lamesat and Thomas Combezou.
"In my team, honestly, there are players who deserve to be at the World Cup – Lamerat, Remi Tales, Kockott and Grosso," said Castres coach Mauricio Reggiardo.
Second-bottom Castres have 47 points as do Bayonne while Brive and Grenoble are a point further ahead as the relegation dogfight looks destined for a thrilling conclusion.
Bayonne improved their survival hopes with a 42-33 win over Grenoble with South African-born French international full-back Scott Spedding scoring three of his team's six tries.
Rock-bottom Lyon were effectively relegated after losing 37-22 at home to Bordeaux while Oyonnax boosted their play-off hopes with a 21-16 win over Racing Metro.
Oyonnax had stunned Clermont 11-10 last time out and on Saturday were indebted to Argentine flyhalf Benjamin Urdapilleta who kicked all their points.
Top 14 results:
La Rochelle 32 Toulon 29
Bayonne 42 Grenoble 33
Brive 15 Montpellier 10
Lyon 22 Begles-Bordeaux 37
Oyonnax 21 Racing Metro 16
Castres 31 Clermont 10
Stade Francais 12 Toulouse 21
Top 14 table (played, won, drawn, lost, points for, points against, bonus points, total points):
Toulon 23 14 0 9 638 465 10 66
Clermont 23 13 1 9 542 411 8 62
Toulouse 23 14 0 9 472 431 5 61
Stade Francais 23 13 1 9 528 509 7 61
Racing Metro 23 12 2 9 461 441 6 58
Oyonnax 23 13 0 10 446 425 5 57
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Bordeaux 23 10 0 13 615 512 11 51
Montpellier 23 10 2 11 466 436 7 51
La Rochelle 23 10 3 10 474 580 4 50
Brive 23 11 0 12 444 520 4 48
Grenoble 23 10 0 13 553 658 8 48
Bayonne 23 9 1 13 441 465 9 47
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Castres 23 10 0 13 446 525 7 47
Lyon 23 7 0 16 414 562 7 35
Agence France-Presse
