Former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams has guided his French rugby union club Toulon to their first Top 14 victory since November.

Williams' display in the five-try 38-22 win over fellow relegation battlers Mont-de-Marsan gave embattled Toulon fans something to cheer after coach Tana Umaga had to shelve his playing return.

The former All Black centre failed to win the necessary administrative clearance in time for the match.

In other games, a last-gasp penalty from New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter secured a 13-13 draw for Perpignan against Stade Francais that prevented the Parisians from overtaking Toulouse at the Top 14 summit.

The result keeps Toulouse top, two points clear of Stade Francais, despite their surprise 17-13 defeat at a resurgent Biarritz, with Perpignan four points off top spot in third.

Fourth-placed Clermont thrashed fifth-placed Bayonne 44-10 to open up a 10-point gap over their opponents, while second-bottom Castres were held to an 11-11 draw at home to Brive.

Elsewhere, Montpellier beat Dax 23-14 and Bourgoin overcame Montauban 25-15 thanks to a 20-point haul from kicker Benjamin Boyet.

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