Alexandre Menini dives over for Toulon's first try after just five minutes © Getty Images

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Toulon thrashed Grenoble 61-28 to leapfrog Clermont at the summit of the Top 14 table.

The champions scored nine tries in a match they controlled from start to finish and their total could have been higher had Nicolas Sanchez landed more than five of his conversion attempts.

To their credit, Grenoble avoided a complete humiliation by touching down for three tries of their own and at one point had the deficit down to just four points. But Toulon never went behind and now sit two points clear at the top of the table.

On Satuday, Bayonne claimed an important 24-13 victory against then-leaders Clermont Auvergne to aid their fight against relegation.

Martin Bustos Moyano fired the hosts into an 8-0 lead with a try and penalty goal but Clermont hit back through a Napolioni Nalaga try to lead at the break.

Charles Ollivon went over shortly after the interval as Bayonne regained the lead, before Moyano converted to give them breathing space. Two penalties from Blair Stewart practically secured victory before replacement Christophe Loustalot added another late on.

Stade Francais kept the pressure on league leaders Clermont with a convincing 39-22 bonus-point victory against Bordeaux Begles.

Two tries from Waisea Nayacalevu and one each from Julien Arias had the Parisians comfortably ahead at Stade Jean Bouin, but Pierre Bernard's late try for the visitors put the bonus point in doubt.

However, Zurabi Zhvania went over in the final attack of the match before Jules Plisson converted to cement an impressive win and keep Stade Francais second in the table.

Oyonnax provided the shock of the Top 14 season so far after they became the first team to win at Racing Metro this season with a 21-17 victory.

The visitors had Ben Urdapilleta to thank after he scored six penalties and a drop goal with the boot.

The hosts looked good for the win after tries from Johan Goosen and Teddy Thomas saw them clear at the break, but four second half penalties from Urdapilleta ensured Oyonnax moved above Castres at the foot of the table.

It is the first defeat Racing Metro have suffered at Yves du Manoir this season.

La Rochelle kept up their impressive home record with a 21-15 triumph against Montpellier.

Alofa Alofa and Lekso Kaulashvili both went over either side of the interval, but the victory was tainted by yellow cards to Levani Botia Veivuke, Uini Atonio and Jone Qovu Nailiko.

Toby Flood kicked five conversions and two penalties as Toulouse thumped Lyon 41-17 for their fifth win of the season.

Maxime Medard got things going for the visitors on 10 minutes before Vincent Clerc crossed on 24 minutes to extend Toulouse's lead, Fabrice Estebanez having responded midway between those two scores for Lyon.

However, after Stephen Brett had closed the gap to 17-10 with a penalty on the half-hour mark, Toulouse simply took control in the second half. Louis Picamoles, Timoci Matanavou and Yannick Nyanga Kabasele all notched tries, with Lachie Munro's late response a mere consolation for Lyon.

Brive scored what could be a vital 21-15 against relegation rivals Castres at Stade Amedee Domenech.

Karlen Asieshvili and Alfi Mafi were the try-scorers for the home side and, despite the efforts of Geoffrey Palis, Castres were denied a losing bonus point. Brive move above Lyon into 10th while Castres remain rooted at the foot of the table.

Alofa Alofa shows his delight as he scores a try for La Rochelle against Montpellier © Getty Images

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