Laidlaw helps Clermont continue fine Top 14 start

Clermont Auvergne secured their fourth successive Top 14 victory as the boot of former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw helped them overcome Pau 27-23.

The division’s early pace-setters had scored 149 points across their opening three fixtures, but this was a more hard-fought success as Laidlaw sent over a conversion and a penalty in the final four minutes to seal a narrow win.

Clermont had scored 18 tries in their previous three wins but managed to add just two more through Remy Grosso and Yohan Beheregaray against a Pau side for whom Colin Slade scored 12 points.

Reigning champions Castres are up to second in the standings thanks to a 29-13 win over Grenoble, who have lost each of their opening four fixtures since being promoted.

Hooker Marc-Antoine Rallier twice crossed the whitewash, as did Alex Tulou, while Benjamin Urdapilleta kicked nine points.

Lyon produced the most comprehensive victory of the day as they ran in eight tries in a 55-13 thrashing of Montpellier.

Jake McIntyre kicked five penalties in Agen’s 22-17 success over Bordeaux-Begles, while Toulouse sealed a 30-17 win over Racing 92.

#TOP14, J4
Les résultats du jour sont là !
Demain, suite et fin de cette 4ème journée

A demain pour la suite des matches ! pic.twitter.com/On1JDCcGP2

— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) September 15, 2018

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta