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'Basta' is not enjoying himself at present. INPHO/Billy Stickland

'I'm a zombie' - Bastareaud and Toulon knocked off peak of Top 14

Meanwhile, reports suggest Jake White has been parachuted in to save ailing Montpellier.

STADE FRANÇAIS NOTCHED an impressive bonus-point 30-6 win over Toulon in Paris last night to overtake Bernard Laporte’s side as Top 14 leaders.

Defeat for Clermont away to Lyon means Toulon only drop to second, just two points behind Stade Français, but the manner of defeat at Stade Jean Bouin yesterday was emphatic.

Sergio Parisse’s clever fourth-minute try set the Parisians on their way to a comprehensive win over the out-of-sorts Toulon, for whom the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Drew Mitchell, Mamuka Gorgodze and stand-in captain Bakkies Botha struggled to impose themselves.

Centre Mathieu Bastareaud, who formed RCT’s midfield partnership with Bryan Habana, was also quiet, and was visibly upset when he spoke to French broadcaster Canal + following the game.

There are times when you have to face up to things,” said Bastareud. “Since the start of the season, I’m a zombie. I haven’t been able to find form. You have to know when to say ‘stop’. I’ve arrived at breaking point.”

Startlingly honest words from ‘Basta,’ although Ulster fans might argue that the France international has made an impact in Champions Cup games at least.

Head coach Bernard Laporte will be keen to ensure Toulon’s disappointment is not carried into Saturday’s visit to Montpellier, as they strive to return to winning ways. All the signs suggest that Toulon can win on the road at Altrad Stadium.

Montpellier have been in freefall in recent months, losing all four of their Champions Cup fixtures so far and dropping to eighth in the Top 14, despite a squad filled with world-class players.

Yesterday’s 27-9 defeat to bottom club Castres was the latest in a long line of setbacks for a group whose morale is at rock bottom.

FRANCE WCUP RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL World Cup winner Jake White is reported to have joined Montpellier. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Midi Olympique this morning reports that Jake White has been drafted in in a managerial role for the next six months, with head coach Fabien Galthié suspended following that loss in Castres.

It has long been believed that club president Mohad Altrad was keen on forcing Galthié out of Montpellier, although sacking the former France scrum-half would be a costly affair.

Forwards coach Mario Ledesma was relieved of his duties last month, prompting backs coach Stéphane Glas to offer his resignation in solidarity, with Altrad refusing to accept.

Former Brumbies and Sharks coach White is seen as the man to restore discipline and desire within Montpellier’s squad, and the 2007 World Cup winner certainly has the track record to suggest he can achieve that.

Shaun Sowerby, formerly a back row at Toulouse, is set to join as forwards coach, with Glas remanining in charge of the backs. Galthié’s reign is at an end.

Elsewhere, Toulouse’s welcome recent resurgence continued yesterday as their 15-9 win at home to Racing Métro moved them up to seventh in the league, although defeat for Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble in La Rochelle saw them drop to sixth.

Top 14 results yesterday:

Toulouse 15-9 Racing Métro

Bordeaux 46-10 Brive

Castres 27-9 Montepellier

La Rochelle 19-15 Grenoble

Oyonnax 12-9 Bayonne

Lyon 16-13 Clermont

Stade Français 30-6 Toulon

Table LNR LNR

Attention turns to Lam’s Connacht as Munster strive for consistency

Half term report: Ulster must escape Champions Cup cloud

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