Bayonne Tops Top 14 Rugby Standings, Clermont Sets Scoring Record

Bayonne surged to the top of the Top 14 standings this week with a stunning 40-26 victory over reigning champions Toulouse.

Starting the season ranked fifth in preseason projections, Bayonne is quickly proving itself to be one of the most dangerous and dynamic teams in the league.

In a historic performance, Clermont Auvergne set the record for the highest-scoring match in Top 14 history, defeating Montauban 84-31 in a try-filled thriller.

Stade Français and Toulon also added wins to their records, rounding out the current top three teams just behind Bayonne.

Bayonne Stuns Defending Champs

Bayonne made a powerful statement by defeating last season’s Top 14 champions, Toulouse, early in the campaign. Toulouse, winners of the past three league titles, looked vulnerable throughout the match. Bayonne capitalized on defensive lapses and opened the scoring with early pressure. They went on to score five tries, while Toulouse managed three, struggling to respond with their usual pace and precision.

Clermont’s Record-Breaking Show

At Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin, Clermont Auvergne turned their home ground into a scoring showcase with 12 tries against Montauban, who scored four in reply. The match was a back-and-forth display of offensive dominance. While the teams were evenly matched in scrums (5 each, with 80% success), Clermont controlled possession for 58% of the match, including 63% in the final 10 minutes, and also led in territorial advantage.

Stade Français Controls the Pace in Perpignan

Stade Français defeated Perpignan 28-11 at Stade Aimé Giral. An early try set the tone for the visitors, who controlled the tempo for most of the game. Stade Français won 92% of their scrums, compared to Perpignan’s 78%, giving them a strong platform to build from. Despite playing at home, Perpignan could only score a single try, with penalty goals providing the rest of their points.

Top 14 Rugby Standings 2025: Round 5Bayonne (16) – 4-1-0Stade Français (15) – 3-2-0Toulon (14) – 3-1-0Bordeaux Bègles (14) – 3-2-0Toulouse (14) – 3-2-0Pau (14) – 3-2-0Lyon (13) – 3-2-0Montpellier (13) – 2-2-1Racing 92 (13) – 3-2-0Castres (11) – 2-3-0La Rochelle (10) – 2-2-0Clermont (10) – 2-3-0Montauban (2) – 0-4-1Perpignan (0) – 0-5-0

Team (Pts.) – W-L-D

Top 14 Rugby Results: Round 5

Saturday, October 4

Montpellier (8) 37 – 13 La Rochelle (11)Clermont (12) 84 – 31 Montauban (13)Castres (10) 20 – 16 Racing 92 (9)Toulon (3) 33 – 17 Pau (6)Perpignan (14) 11 – 28 Stade Français (2)Bordeaux Bègles (4) 32 – 20 Lyon (7)

Sunday, October 5

Bayonne (1) 40 – 26 Toulouse (5)Top 14 Rugby Schedule: Round 6

Saturday, October 11

Pau (6) vs Bayonne (1) – 8:30 AM ETLyon (7) vs Perpignan (14) – 10:35 AM ETRacing 92 (9) vs Montpellier (8) – 10:35 AM ETStade Français (2) vs La Rochelle (11) – 10:35 AM ETMontauban (13) vs Castres (10) – 10:35 AM ETClermont (12) vs Toulon (3) – 3:00 PM ET

Sunday, October 12

Toulouse (5) vs Bordeaux Bègles (4) – 3:05 PM ETHow To Watch International Rugby In USA

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