Racing keep top-two hopes alive after Toulon win

Racing 92 moved back into sixth place in the Top 14 following a 22-13 victory over a Toulon side who continue to look over their shoulder.

Teddy Thomas, Leone Nakarawa and Olivier Klemenczak crossed the whitewash for the home team in a result which lifts them back into the play-offs after Stade Francais’ win earlier in the day had sent them down to seventh.

It took a while for the Parisians to get going, with Francois Trinh-Duc’s brace of penalties giving the visitors a 6-0 lead but, once they took control, the 2016 domestic champions were ultimately too good.

Finn Russell was not at his majestic best but was still influential, playing a key role in the hosts’ first try as his mazy run and deft pass allowed Virimi Vakatawa to send Thomas clear, before the forwards began to dominate.

They continually sent Patrice Collazo’s men into reverse and the pressure eventually told as Nakarawa went over from close range.

Collazo’s outfit had been competitive in the opening quarter and battled hard throughout the second half, despite being under pressure, but they were unable to put the hosts under any significant duress.

Instead, Racing controlled possession and territory until they finally got their reward and sealed the victory through Klemenczak. At that point, it gave them a bonus-point but they were frustrated by an obdurate Toulon performance when Brian Alainu’uese touched down and prevented the Parisians from gaining the full five.

It was a display rather symptomatic of Racing recently, who played with intent and produced some thrilling moments, but they were unable to do it for the full 80 minutes and duly went away frustrated.

For Toulon, they remain in a quandary but only move down one place – staying seven points ahead of Agen – after Toulouse ended the day at the top of the table by edging past Philippe Sella’s charges 27-20 at the Stade Armandie.

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Les Rouge et Noir scored four tries with Maxime Medard, Rynhardt Elstadt, Arthur Bonneval and Yoann Huget touching down, while Denis Marchois and Jake McIntyre, who also slotted 10 points from the tee, responded for the hosts.

Meanwhile, Lyon and Castres boosted their play-off prospects after overcoming Montpellier and Grenoble respectively. It was a particularly impressive victory for Pierre Mignoni’s men, who inflicted yet another home defeat on Vern Cotter’s side as Jonathan Wisniewski kicked 20 points in their 25-14 triumph, meaning Jan Serfontein and Romain Ruffenach efforts were in vain.

For the defending champions, they move up to eighth following a tight 16-6 win at the Stade des Alpes. Gaetan Germain kicked two penalties for the hosts but it was not enough as Marc-Antoine Rallier crossed the whitewash and Benjamin Urdapilleta added 11 points with his accurate left foot.

There was an impressive result for Pau, who ended their six-match domestic losing streak with a 40-23 victory over Bordeaux-Begles. They were significantly aided by Beka Gorgadze’s 11th minute red card but the hosts took advantage as Quentin Lespiaucq (twice), Lourens Adriaanse, Watisoni Votu, Jamie Mackintosh and Ben Mowen all went over.

Finally, Perpignan remain winless after Stade Francais inflicted a 27-8 loss on the Catalans thanks to Lester Etien, Waisea Nayacalevu, Gael Fickou and Andre Warner scores.