Toulon go top with win over Brive

The Cote d'Azur side leapfrogged Racing 92 to get to 51 points, three clear of the Paris side, who are in action later Saturday at home to Castres.

Brive remain on 36 points, just outside the top six places which qualify teams for the playoffs at the end of the regular season.

Toulon were without five players on international duty in the Six Nations and also winger James O'Connor, struck down by a mystery illness after last week's win over Oyonnax.

But it was the home side who forged ahead with a penalty after five minutes and a penalty try four minutes later for a 10-0 lead.

Brive kept it tight to near half-time at 15-10 in wet, windy conditions with a try in the corner from Fiji winger Benito Masilevu after 19 minutes.

But on the stroke of the break, the Brive defence failed to deal with an up-and-under into their own try zone and Delon Armitage took full advantage by pouncing on a loose ball to touch down for 22-10.

Tries from lock Romain Taofifuena after 50 minutes and Kiwi fly-half Tom Taylor five minutes later put Toulon 39-10 up and ensured an offensive bonus point for the home side.

The home side then completed the job with a sixth try five minutes from time, Drew Mitchell collecting a long crossfield kick from fellow Aussie Quade Cooper to barge his way over.   

Agence France-Presse