Top 14 round-up: Returning All Black crosses in Toulon rampage, English fly-half shines and Bordeaux exact revenge
Leicester Fainga'anuku and Joe Simmonds both crossed the whitewash in victories this weekend
Round Four of the Top 14 is now behind us, and as always there was plenty of jaw-dropping action in the French top flight over the weekend.
The main attraction was a repeat of last year’s final, as Toulouse squared off with Bordeaux-Begles, but elsewhere Toulon ran riot and yet more Englishmen impressed over the Channel.
Here is the latest edition of the Top 14 round-up.
Leicester Fainga’anuku crosses in Toulon rampage
It’s been a busy week for winger Leicester Fainga’anuku, following confirmation of his return to New Zealand, but he put that to one side this weekend with a try in Toulon’s mammoth 54-19 win over newly-promoted Vannes on Saturday. Les Rouge et Noir ran in eight tries from eight different scorers in the victory, their third in four matches so far this season. Kyle Sinckler once again featured for his new side to good effect too, continuing his great form since his switch to France this season.
This wasn’t the only blow-out of the weekend either, as bottom side Perpignan grabbed their first win of the new campaign in emphatic fashion, beating Clermont Auvergne 33-3.
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There was also a thrilling game in Lyon, as the hosts clinched an entertaining 40-38 win over Castres.
Joe Simmonds shines in Pau win
English players have certainly settled in nicely to life across the Channel, and this weekend former Exeter Chiefs man Joe Simmonds was probably the pick of the bunch. The fly-half notched 15 points in Pau’s 30-16 win over Stade Francais, scoring one try, two conversions and two penalties.
Rounding off Saturday’s action, Bayonne bested Montpellier – where Joe’s brother Sam Simmonds plays – 28-27 and Owen Farrell’s Racing 92 continued their torrid start to the season as they fell to a 17-16 defeat to La Rochelle.
Bordeaux clinch final rematch thanks to Louis Bielle-Biarrey masterclass
The final game of the weekend was arguably the biggest match of the season to date, as last year’s finalists met for the first time.
This time around, though, it was Bordeaux who took bragging rights as they beat Antoine Dupont-less Toulouse 16-12 on Sunday evening.
In itself, this win is certainly a talking point, but the key takeaway will be the utterly brilliant performance of young French international Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Shifted into full-back for the game, the back notched himself a delicious try in the win, and overall produced an incredibly classy showing.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey is still only 21!
Could take another leap this season
Was the star as Bordeaux ended Toulouse’s 33-match unbeaten home streak
Sets the season up beautifully
— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) September 30, 2024
Blair Kinghorn also continued his fine form this season with a try in the defeat.
