The China Mail - Champions Toulouse stunned by Perpignan in Top 14

Despite trailing 21-11 to the visiting champions at half-time, Perpignan roared back to edge a narrow win that took them onto nine points and above fellow strugglers Montauban.

Newly-promoted Montauban, however, can strike back when they host Clermont later on Saturday.

For powerhouses Toulouse it was the continuation of a wretched run of results in Catalonia against their much less-fancied opponents.

They have lost their last five matches at Perpignan, going back to 2018, and this latest loss, in spite of a bonus point, offers Pau the chance to claim top spot when they visit Lyon later in the day.

"It was a somewhat frustrating match in terms of the rugby played," Toulouse coach Ugo Mola said.

"Well done to Perpignan for not giving up and getting back on track to kick-start their season.

"They went out and got it (the victory). It's a club that deserves it."

Things started badly for Ugo Mola's side after they made 13 changes from their statement 60-14 win over La Rochelle last time out.

Their Catalan hoo-doo looked set to continue as they found themselves trailing 11-0 inside 10 minutes thanks to an unconverted try by hometown player Maxim Granell and penalties by Antoine Aucagne and Benjamin Urdapilleta.

But a Kalvin Gourgues-inspired Toulouse powered back to lead at the break through two tries by Teddy Thomas and Benjamin Bertrand -- both converted by Romain Ntamack's replacement at fly-half -- before Gourgues himself crossed the whitewash.

That 22-minute spree was the highlight of the match for the away side as Perpignan ran in three tries in the second half compared to only two penalties for Toulouse.

Substitute Ignacio Ruiz crossed on 44 minutes, before Gourgues's boot gave Toulouse a 27-16 buffer.

However, on 72 minutes Peceli Yato went over with Aucagne converting to leave the match in the balance.

Joaquin Oviedo then completed the stunning comeback with three minutes left on the clock as Aucagne again slotted between the posts to seal the win in style.

F.Brown--ThChM