Toulouse booked the first semi-final berth of the French Top 14 on Saturday with a 33-0 thrashing of relegated Bourgoin.

The European champions earned a bonus point to put them on 78 points after 25 games to assure a top two finish and a place in the semi-finals of the French championship for the 18th consecutive time in Marseille on May 27 or 28.

They are still in the running for two trophies as they are through to the semi-finals of the European Cup where they will continue their bid to defend their title when they meet Irish side Leinster in Dublin next Saturday.

Toulouse scrum-half Jean-Marc Doussain said: "Our orders were to play a serious game and that's what we did. It's not easy against a team who have nothing to lose. But we were able to stay focused by upping the pace at the beginning of the second half.

"It was important to prepare well for the Leinster match. Now we have to recover well because it's going to be complicated playing on two fronts."

International winger Vincent Clerc set the tone early with two tries in less than 12 minutes to ensure the hosts a lead of 14-0, with Maxime Medard touching down a third after 21 minutes.

After a drop in rhythm before the break, Toulouse accelerated again in the second half with France and Toulouse captain Thierry Dusautoir crossing for a try on his return following a month out with a leg injury. Yannick Jauzion added a fifth after 65 minutes.

Toulouse will host champions Clermont on May 7 as they bid to hold their top place which will give them the right to choose the day of the semi-final.

Of the nine teams battling for the final phase, second-placed Racing-Metro are assured of at least a play-off berth following their 51-34 victory over Agen.

The club from the Paris suburbs will have to wait for the final match against Stade Francais on May 7 to qualify directly for the semi-finals.

Castres, 16-13 winners over Biarritz on Friday, and Clermont, who thrashed LaRochelle 34-10 on Saturday, will also have to wait to secure their place.

Toulon move up to fifth after gaining a bonus point in their 43-12 win against Perpignan, and will play for qualification on May 7 against Montpellier, who dropped out of the top six after a 23-21 loss at Brive.

Montpellier are equal on points with Bayonne who are still mathematically in the running after their 54-20 win over Stade Francais who are already eliminated this season.

Perpignan, champions in 2009 and finalists last year, will miss out on the final phase this time and will now be focusing all the energies on their European Cup semi-final against Northampton next weekend.

La Rochelle are relegated after their loss to Clermont, joining Bourgoin in the second division next season, as Brive are assured of remaining in the Top 14.

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