The China Mail - Toulouse stunned by Perpignan but stay top as Pau lose

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, who crashed to a 34-19 defeat at home to Clermont.

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, but their losing bonus point allowed them to maintain a one-point lead over second-placed Pau, who lost 22-17 at Lyon.

"It was a somewhat frustrating match in terms of the rugby played," 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 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.

- Hookers Tolofua, Massa bag hat-tricks -

Lyon ended a run of five straight defeats in beating Pau, whose own series of five consecutive league victories was brought to a close.

Australian-born Italy winger Monty Ioane was on the scoresheet as Lyon edged the first half while former England No.8 Sam Simmonds added a second half try to ensure Lyon secured just a second victory in their last 10 matches in all competitions.

Montauban's hopes of staying above Perpignan faltered from kick-off as Clermont raced into a 17-0 lead as hooker Barnabe Massa scored the first of his hat-trick of tries.

Tries from Thomas Bue and Josua Vici briefly pulled Montauban back into the match at 22-14 but Clermont romped away with it in the second half.

Stade Francais climbed to third in the table as full-back Leo Barre's try two minutes from time clinched a bonus point 33-15 victory over Castres.

Hooker Christopher Tolofua scored a hat-trick of tries in Montpellier's crushing 62-22 romp against Bayonne as the Basques lost away from home for the sixth time in seven outings this season.

D.Peng--ThChM