La Rochelle with courage, Toulon takes fourth

The Rochelais dominated Clermont in an indecisive shock while Toulon followed up with a fourth success by dominating Pau, Saturday for the 12th day of the Top 14, where the Stade français gave itself a little breathing room.

. La Rochelle shows courage against Clermont

After turning their heads around in the Champions Cup thanks to two successes, La Rochelle wanted to erase their home defeat against Vannes on the 11th day.

Faced with a combative Clermont, the Maritimes had to work hard in a shock marked by numerous faults (6 yellow cards in total, 3 for each team), to finally win 20 to 15.

After a first try from Teddy Thomas, Ronan O'Gara's men thought they had done the hardest part with Ultan Dillane's try, escaped from a maul (17-3, 33rd); but the visitors didn't give up, coming back to score after a penalty try rewarding their playing intentions.

A try from Raka (55th) even allowed ASM to put the Rochelais in doubt at an undecided end to the match, and which ultimately offered Clermont a deserved defensive bonus point.

. Toulon plays against Pau

And four. Winner of Pau 56 to 25, the RCT has a fourth consecutive success in the Top 14, the sixth in all competitions, and climbs to third place in the ranking.

However, everything was not simple, against the Palois who knew how to exploit Toulon's errors to stay on track (24-13 at the break). Back at 24-20, the Béarnais then exploded, as they often do away from home this season.

Thanks in particular to two doubles from their wingers Villière and Dréan, in full swing at the moment, the Toulonnais finally seized the offensive bonus.

. Solid Bayonne at Rabine

Falling from a height against Edinburgh (52-12) last week, the Basques reacted well to Rabine, showing formidable efficiency against Vannes (27-21).

Very undisciplined (19 penalties, two yellow cards), the Blue and White were able to count on their center Sireli Maqala, top scorer in the Top 14, author of one try and decisive on a second.

The Vannes red lantern, who had achieved a feat by winning at La Rochelle on the last day, believed in the feat in added time, but paid for his numerous unconverted chances.

. The Stade français gives itself some fresh air

Under pressure after two defeats in the Champions Cup, Stade Français finally saw the red zone move away a little, thanks to its success against Perpignan (27-7) at Jean-Bouin, and moved from twelfth to 8th place.

Sanctioned with three red cards in two weeks, the Parisians this time knew how to keep their nerves in a meeting which never really took off, but missed the opportunity to take the bonus against the playful Catalans who suffered a lot in second period.

Racing 92 may have regrets about its trip to Montpellier. Defeated 21-17 in a choppy encounter, the Racingmen first paid for their indiscipline, before missing the victory against the Héraultais reduced to 13.