REIGNING FRENCH AND European champions Toulon crushed arch-rivals Clermont 27-19 to move top of the French Top 14 this afternoon.
Clermont had held a three-point advantage over Toulon going into the top-of-the-table clash at the Allianz Riviera in Nice.
But in a high-level and intense game, Toulon prevailed largely thanks to three tries — from New Zealand winger David Smith (14, 73) and Maxime Mermoz (37) — with the France centre also instrumental in two decisive passes.
The clash lived up to expectations as the champions had trouble pulling ahead of a tenacious Clermont, who scored two tries from Fritz Lee (31) and Aurelien Rougerie (60), and only caved in following the second late Smith try.
With just one point separating the rivals at 20-19, a Steffon Armitage break, well relayed by Smith, led to the the New Zealand winger’s second try, assisted on the inside by Mermoz.
In a brisk clash, Toulon took the lead after less than a quarter-of-an-hour with a spectacular 40-metre sprint from Mermoz, serving wing Smith two metres from the line and he crossed despite pressure from Clermont’s Jean-Marcellin Buttin.
Clermont got their hand on the ball with Lee scoring a try on the half-hour mark following an action initiated by Australian centre Benson Stanley to make it 10-8.
In response, Mermoz built on good work by the forwards and a long pass from scrum-half Sebastien Tillous-Borde as Toulon lead 17-8 at half-time.
Toulon seemed to lose their way just after the break, allowing Clermont back with Stanley breaking through and Rougerie crossing for a try.
But a Nicolas Sanchez penalty and Smith’s 73rd minute try closed down the tie as Clermont were hit by the late sin-binning of Julien Bonnaire for a dangerous tackle two minutes later.
Toulon will spend the next two weeks, devoted to European Cup action, leading the Top 14.
It gives the champions a boost ahead of their European clash at Leicester, as Clermont look to bounce back against Munster.
