Castres claim top spot

As a flood of World Cup stars returned to France for the weekend's action, Castres brushed aside an undisciplined Toulouse side thanks largely to their kicking.

Eight penalties counted for the hosts' points at the Stade Pierre-Antoine to see them leapfrog their opponents and assume the lead of the championship.

Toulon thumped Perpignan 38-0 in Saturday's final game of the round in what was a victory over ruthless aggression and clinical finishing at the Stade Felix-Mayol.

A penalty try and scores from David Smith, Fabien Cibray and Eifion Roberts were complemented by four penalties and a conversion from Benjamin Lapeyre.

Jonny Wilkinson made a late entrance and added two conversions of his own, and Toulon were utterly dominant in securing the win.

Elsewhere, Racing Metro slipped to a fourth defeat of the season at Bordeaux, losing 22-18, while Brive trounced Brive 32-7.

Montpellier registered a much-needed victory at Bayonne, the south coast club winning 26-17 and rounding off the night's action were Clermont, who beat Agen 29-13 to stay in second place.