Top 14: Lyon and Toulouse beaten as Racing 92 run riot

Joris Jurand scored a first-half hat-trick as Brive handed second-placed Lyon a shock 30-16 defeat in Top 14.

With leaders Bordeaux-Begles not in action until their match with Castres on Sunday, Lyon had the chance to reach the summit but fluffed their lines as Brive earned an impressive home victory.

Jurand was the hosts’ hero with three tries in the space of 20 minutes before the break as his side sprinted into a 27-6 lead at the interval.

Thibault Regard and Hamza Kaabeche replied for Lyon in the second half but it was too late for them to force their way back into the contest.

It is now only two wins from six games for Lyon across all competitions.

#TOP14 | J17
C’est l’heure de jeter un œil sur l’ensemble des scores de ce samedi   pic.twitter.com/vt9pI4QpFO

— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) February 29, 2020

Defending champions Toulouse also went down to an away defeat on Saturday, as Bayonne recorded a 20-10 triumph.

A close encounter did not produce a try until Pierre Fouyssac crossed on the hour mark to put the visitors narrowly ahead.

But Romain Barthelemy’s four second-half penalties had Bayonne back in front before Samoa International Alofa Alofa’s try put the result beyond doubt.

Racing 92 are third after they scored seven tries as La Rochelle endured a 49-0 humiliation.

Teddy Baubigny and Scotland exile Finn Russell helped Racing into a 15-point lead after 16 minutes but the floodgates opened after Dorian Laborde’s try on the stroke of half-time.

Olivier Klemenczak, Fabien Sanconnie, Maxime Machenaud and Hassane Kolingar all went over as victory ensured Racing sit four points clear of their opponents in the race for a play-off spot.

Elsewhere, two tries from Peceli Yato helped Clermont Auvergne to a 32-15 win away to Agen, while a late score from Nicolas Corato was the difference as Pau battled to a much needed 19-15 home victory against Montpellier.

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta