The China Mail - Dupont double helps Toulouse avoid Bayonne slip-up in Top 14

Dupont took his try haul to four in five games this season to send the champions two points clear of second-placed Pau, who beat Castres 35-26 on Saturday.

Bayonne had a three-point advantage thanks in part to their influential Fiji centre Sireli Maqala with a little over 20 minutes to play but now sit in fifth, seven points below Toulouse.

Dupont's performance hands the French giants a boost before they start their search for a record-extending seventh Champions Cup crown. They host Exeter next Sunday in the opening round of the competition.

After a frantic opening 20 minutes in Toulouse, the visitors led 20-12 thanks to tries from Maqala and French winger Tom Spring.

France prop Cyril Baille, who will join Basque outfit Bayonne next season, and Dupont with a superb solo effort, had put the hosts into the lead.

By half-time, Dupont's side were 24-20 ahead as Les Bleus hooker Julien Marchand crossed twice from two rolling mauls.

With 23 minutes to go, Bayonne led 27-24 before lock Josh Brennan scored. Dupont's delicate grubber then set up half-back partner Romain Ntamack.

Dupont made sure of the win with seven minutes left with his second try of the game before he was replaced with next weekend's Champions Cup match in mind.

On Saturday, Dupont's main competition for the France scrum-half jersey, Maxime Lucu, scored 15 points as Bordeaux-Begles held on to edge Clermont 23-22 ahead of their defence of the Champions Cup.

The two-time Champions Cup holders sit third after their first away win since May. They head to Gloucester next Friday to launch their continental campaign.

C.Mak--ThChM