Toulouse trailed 18-0 in the first half but launched a fightback after the interval to shock leaders Toulon © Getty Images

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Toulouse produced a stunning second-half display to beat Top 14 leaders Toulon 34-24 and leave the top three sides separated by just two points after Stade Francais' win over Clermont Auvergne.

Toulon looked in complete control at the interval, opening up an 18-0 lead after half an hour thanks to two tries from wing Josua Tuisova, but their 18-7 cushion came under threat as early as the first minute after the restart when Maxime Medard touched down.

Frederic Michalak and Luke McAlister traded penalties before Medard struck again inside the last 10 minutes to put Toulouse ahead for the first time, and Jano Vermaak sealed the comeback win with the visitors' fourth try in the dying minutes.

The result keeps Toulouse fifth while Toulon now stand level with Clermont Auvergne, who missed out on the chance to go top after conceding five tries in Paris to Stade Francais.

The 40-26 win ended a run of three defeats in their past four matches for the hosts, who closed the gap on their two sides above them to just two points.

Tries from Waisea Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu, Jonathan Danty, Zak Taulafo, Julien Arias and substitute Laurent Sempere did the damage for Stade, moving them within two points of the visitors.

Napolioni Nalaga crossed twice as Clermont mounted a second-half fightback from 27-7 down, but a third penalty from Jules Plisson followed moments later by Arias' try shortly after the hour put the hosts out of sight.

La Rochelle clung on to claim a 22-21 victory over Begles - their first away win of the season in all competitions - thanks to the boot of Fabien Fortassin.

The fly-half kicked three penalties and converted Hikairo Forbes' try to put La Rochelle 16-3 up at half-time, but the Bordeaux side battled back after the break. Levani Botia Veivuke was sent off with four minutes to go before Talebula Maijaina crossed in the dying seconds, but the promoted side clung on for a vital win.

Montpellier ran riot in their 45-17 win over Lyon, who played most of the second half with 14 men following Ricky Januarie's red card just seconds after being subbed on in the 52rd minute.

By then Monpellier were already four tries to the good, adding two more late in the second half to leave Lyon joint-bottom with Castres.

Brive offered little resistance against Oyonnax , who ran out 24-3 winners at Stade Charles-Mathon to keep the pressure on Toulouse in the battle for fifth.