Montpellier march on, Brive climb off the bottom

Top 14 leaders Montpellier sit six points clear at the summit after an emphatic display against Castres, Les Cistes winning 45-7.

A dominant opening 40 minutes – aided by Maama Vaipulu’s trip to the sin bin – saw Montpellier pile on 21 points.

Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Bismarck du Plessis both crossed, while Ruan Pienaar kicked eight points and Francois Steyn converted a drop goal.

There was no let up after the break as Montpellier added another three tries, while all Castres could muster was Armand Batlle’s converted score.

#TOP14, J22 | #MHRCO
? Large victoire avec bonus offensif du @MHR_Officiel face au @CastresRugby (45 – 7) ! pic.twitter.com/i1HzuxNG1l

— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) March 24, 2018

Toulouse are hot on Montpellier’s heels thanks to a 37-33 victory over Stade Francais, the accuracy of Zack Holmes and Jean-Marc Doussain proving crucial as both sides scored four tries.

Wandile Mjekevu and Cheslin Kolbe plus 10 points from Holmes gave Toulouse a seven-point advantage at half-time, and although Stade Francais fought back the visitors were able to cling on.

The four points moves them into second place above Racing 92 – who face Lyon on Sunday.

La Rochelle made it back-to-back wins to cement their top-six place as Bordeaux-Begles were brushed aside 31-20, the hosts running in five tries.

They are joined in the European places by Pau after a 33-12 triumph over Oyonnax – who slip to the bottom of the table.

Oyonnax drop to 14th place after Brive claimed a first league win of 2018 by beating Agen 15-12.

Gaetan Germain was Brive’s hero with five penalties, while Agen could only register four in a tactical battle that also saw three yellow cards.