Paris (AFP) – Uncapped fly-half Enzo Herve stepped in for the injured ex-Wales international Dan Biggar to guide Toulon to the summit of the French Top 14 with Saturday’s 36-13 win over Pau.
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Herve, 25, scored 21 points including two tries as Toulon moved above Racing 92 to top spot with experienced Biggar out since earlier this month with a back issue.
Surprise packages this season, Pau lost just for the third time in nine games this term as Australia winger Jack Maddocks crossed for his fifth try of the campaign.
Herve claimed his double within 13 minutes in glorious sunshine on the Cote d’Azur before tries from prop Dany Priso, France winger Gabin Villiere and back-rower Paul Abadie’s 80th minute effort.
Next up for Toulon is hosting Exeter Chiefs in the opening round of the Champions Cup on Saturday.
“Claiming the bonus point at the end of the game was important,” Toulon assistant coach Sergio Parisse told reporters.
“We know we can lose every weekend, so we have to get back to work on Monday to keep this positive energy by changing competition,” ex-Italy captain Parisse added.
Later, Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle eased past lowly Perpigan 35-6 eight days from starting the defence of their second straight Champions Cup title in a rerun of last season’s final by hosting Irish province Leinster.
Bernard Laporte’s Montpellier remain bottom after the controversial former French rugby federation president and ex-France head coach lost his second game in charge as they were beaten 34-19 at Bayonne.
Laporte’s side have tasted defeat in eight consecutive league games, their worst run since billionaire owner Mohed Altrad took over club in 2011.
France youngster Louis Bielle-Biarrey slid over in the 77th minute to claim Bordeaux-Begles’ 29-23 win at promoted Oyonnax in heavy snow in the foothills of the Alps.
Castres jumped to third spot, a point above Pau, with a 29-14 victory over Lyon as they continue to wait for ex-New Zealand centre Jack Goodhue to make his debut.
Elsewhere, Racing 92 are without South Africa’s two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi for a trip to Clermont and can go back above Herve’s side.
On Sunday, title holders and record 22-time champions Toulouse go to Paris to play Stade Francais, winners on 14 occasions, in French rugby’s Clasico.
© 2023 AFP
