Biarritz heaped further pressure on Ewen McKenzie's struggling French Top 14 rugby giants Stade Francais with a 30-22 victory on Sunday.

Former NSW Waratahs mentor McKenzie side sunk to their heaviest home defeat in nine years when they lost 40-35 against Montauban on Wednesday and their misery deepened in a comprehensive defeat to the Basque side.

The visitors struck first through a Noel Oelschig penalty in the third minute, but after Ilikena Bolakoro's 17th-minute try for the hosts they were always trailing.

Biarritz led 17-9 at half-time and moved 20-9 ahead via a Julien Peyrelongue penalty at the beginning of the second period.

Former Leicester Tigers star Julien Dupuy succeeded with two penalties to draw Stade Francais closer, but American winger Takudzwa Ngwenya's late breakaway try put paid to any hopes of a comeback.

The visitors were awarded a disputed injury-time penalty try, but it will provide scant solace as they occupy second from bottom place.

"We conceded three tries on counter-attacks," said Stade Francais prop Sylvain Marconnet. "It wasn't Biarritz that created the tries, they were just opportunistic."

Montauban capped a memorable seven days with a 21-18 victory over big-spending Toulon.

Summer signing Jonny Wilkinson has been the key man for Toulon so far this season, but the English World Cup-winner was rested for Sunday's trip.

Frenchman Sebastien Fauque assumed kicking responsibilities and sank five penalties to keep Toulon in contention.

With Montauban leading 18-15 going into the final 10 minutes, South Africa's Conrad Barnard converted a penalty to draw the visitors level, but in the very last minute Cedric Rosalen sent a penalty over to give Montauban the spoils.

Defending champions Perpignan are top thanks to a third straight win at Racing-Metro.

France international forwards Lionel Nallet and Sebastien Chabal both returned for the home side, but a converted 54th-minute try from Jean-Philippe Grandclaude enabled Perpignan to prevail by 18 points to 14, having earlier trailed 11-0.

In the day's late match, last season's runners-up Clermont defeated Toulouse 19-12 to move into second spot.

Castres returned to action after a week-long hiatus due to an outbreak of swine flu at the club and secured a third successive victory with a 33-18 win at home to Montpellier.

Promoted Albi remain winless and rooted to the bottom of the table after losing 39-6 at Brive, while Bayonne enjoyed the biggest win of the day with a crushing 53-6 triumph over cash-strapped Bourgoin.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP