Tempers flared as Stade Francais consolidated their lead in the French Top 14 rugby championship with a 19-13 victory at Toulon on Friday with both teams playing the second half a man down.

A mass brawl moments before half-time, with props Rodrigo Roncero of Stade Francais and Toulon's David Banquet getting red cards from referee Jean-Pierre Matheu, was evidence of the tension.

Promoted Toulon, looking to add to just one victory this season, were already a man down as backrow Jerry Collins had been sinbinned in the 31st minute for stamping.

Stade Francais retained their 100 percent record after four matches and are guaranteed top spot following Saturday's matches which top the bill with Clermont hosting Toulouse in a rematch of last year's final won by the visitors.

Stade Francais wing Julien Arias got the first points on the board after just six minutes when fullback Ramiro Pez, usually at flyhalf but switched because of Toulon's dire injury situation, had a clearance blocked by Arias who then gathered the ball and touched down, leaving Lionel Beauxis to convert.

The boot of Beauxis added another three points with a 45m penalty though wing Clement Imbert replied by touching down for Toulon on 19 minutes, with Pez converting, after a good move following a ball claimed at a line-out.

Just after the brawl with both teams flailing at each other and Roncero and Banquet sent off, Beauxis added more points from a penalty to put Stade Francais 13-7 up at the break.

In the second half, two penalties a piece from Pez and Stade Francais flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez were the only further points to be scored as Stade controlled the match without looking ambitious to widen the gap, leaving Toulon with a defensive bonus point.

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