French champions on fire ahead of Euro return

Perpignan have to travel to Ireland to face Munster this weekend, so a confidence boosting win was just the tonic needed ahead of a trip to Thomond Park.

Jerome Porical kicked nineteen points as the fullback put his side 12-0 in front at the break, before Benjamin Thiery scored Montpellier's only penalty six minutes into the second half.

Porical added another to restore the lead before England international Perry Freshwater scored a rare try. Porical converted, and substitute Yannick Parent crossed for a second try - again converted by Porical - to complete a solid day's work for the Catalans.

Stade Francais also have to play Irish opposition this weekend with a match against Ulster at Ravenhill. They also enjoyed a big win, over Bayonne in Paris. The 34-10 scoerline meant they secured a bonus point which means they end the weekend in sixth place on the table.

Stade were rampant in the first half as Benjamin Kayser crossed for an early try, before Julien Dupuy scored another. Lionel Beauxis converted both and when Pascal Pape scored a third first half effort, the French out-half did the honours once more.
The home faithful had to wait for the final try, which came courtesy of winger Mark Gasnier who secured the bonus point with five minutes remaining, cancelling out Sam Gerber's effort for the visitors.

Five penalties from the boot of France scrum-half Morgan Parra were not enough to stop Clermont Auvergne slipping to a 20-15 away defeat to Montauban at the Stade de Sapiac on Friday night. The home side pulled ahead at the break thanks to a penalty from fly-half Leonard Olivier and a try from prolific Fijian winger Vilimoni Delasau.

Elsewhere on Sunday, strugglers Albi heaped more woe on Biarritz with a 20-9 victory at the Stade Municipal. Biarritz welcome the in form Newport Gwent Dragons to the Parc des Sports Aguilera. The French side are seventh on the table after that result.

Finally, Toulouse were beaten 27-21 by Brive.