Round 16 of the Top 14 delivered everything rugby fans could hope for—thrilling tries, clutch kicks, and games going down to the wire. As the battle for playoff spots intensifies and teams look to avoid the drop, every point matters. From dominant home performances to nail-biting finishes, France’s premier league once again proved why it’s one of the most exciting rugby competitions in the world.
Here’s a full recap of the action from Round 16, complete with scores, key moments, and match highlights:
BAYONNE EDGE UBB IN HIGH-STAKES THRILLER TO STAY UNBEATEN AT HOME
Bayonne 36 - 32 Bordeaux-Bègles (HT 16-8)
Bayonne held their nerve in a tense and action-packed finish to defeat Bordeaux-Bègles 36-32 at Stade Jean-Dauger, maintaining their unbeaten home record in the Top 14 this season. UBB struck first through Nicolas Depoortère’s early try, but Bayonne responded with a brilliant solo run from Facundo Isa Bruni to set up a try for scrum-half Maxime Rouet. Camille Lopez’s accurate boot kept Bayonne ahead 16-8 at halftime. UBB fought back after the break, with Jon Echegaray and Tevita Matiu crossing to give the visitors a 23-16 lead. However, Bruni powered over for a try before Andy Bordelai’s crucial late score reclaimed the lead for Bayonne. Maxime Lucu’s penalties kept Bordeaux in the hunt, and a disallowed try for Janse van Rensburg in the dying moments left UBB settling for a losing bonus point after Lucu’s final kick. Bayonne’s defensive resilience under pressure secured a vital win in a gripping contest.
BAYONNE
- Tries: Rouet (25’), Bruni (58’), Bordelai (72’)
- Conversions: Lopez (26’), Segonds (59’, 73’)
- Penalties: Lopez (4’, 18’, 37’), Segonds (61’, 75’)
BORDEAUX-BÈGLES
- Tries: Depoortère (7’), Echegaray (52’), Matiu (54’)
- Conversions: Carbery (55’)
- Penalties: Carbery (11’, 49’), Lucu (70’, 74’, 80’)
LYON CRUSH WEAKENED LA ROCHELLE TO CLOSE IN ON TOP 6
Lyon 53 - 17 La Rochelle (HT 22-3)
Lyon claimed a dominant 53-17 bonus-point victory over a depleted La Rochelle side at Matmut Stadium, securing their third consecutive Top 14 win and moving to within two points of their opponents. With several La Rochelle stars away on international duty and injuries forcing late reshuffles, Lyon took full advantage, sealing the bonus point within 25 minutes. Baptiste Couilloud, Théo William, and Josiah Maraku crossed early before Lyon ran in eight tries in total. La Rochelle salvaged two late tries through Nika Sutidze and Quentin Lespiaucq, but it was merely a consolation in a one-sided affair. Guillaume Marchand’s brace highlighted Lyon’s power, as they strengthened their push for a playoff spot.
LYON
- Tries: Couilloud (8’), William (18’), Maraku (25’), Botha (45’), Parisien (48’), Marchand (53’, 80’), Lambey (74’)
- Conversions: Berdeu (19’, 26’, 46’), Meliande (75’, 80’)
- Penalties: Berdeu (40’)
LA ROCHELLE
- Tries: Sutidze (71’), Lespiaucq (77’)
- Conversions: Hastoy (72’, 78’)
- Penalties: Hastoy (23’)
VANNES STUN RACING 92 WITH HISTORIC AWAY VICTORY
Racing 92 25 - 30 Vannes (HT 14-13)
Vannes secured a famous 30-25 victory over Racing 92 at Paris La Défense Arena, handing the hosts their sixth consecutive Top 14 defeat. The newly promoted side showcased resilience and accuracy, capitalizing on Racing’s ill-discipline, including a red card for Ibrahim Diallo and a yellow card for Romain Taofifenua. Early tries from Lucas Medrano and Rodrigo Bruni, combined with key kicks from Maxime Lafage, kept Vannes in control despite Racing’s attempts to rally through tries from Tarit, Woki, and Taofifenua. A decisive second-half try by Tevita Ruru sealed the upset, keeping Vannes’ survival hopes alive while Racing’s struggles continued under new coach Patrice Collazo.
RACING 92
- Tries: Tarit (13’), Woki (40’), Taofifenua (54’)
- Conversions: Gibert (14’, 40’)
- Penalties: Tedder (60’, 75’)
VANNES
- Tries: Medrano (10’), Gorrissen (50’), Ruru (66’)
- Conversions: Lafage (11’, 51’, 67’)
- Penalties: Lafage (5’, 32’, 70’)
STADE FRANÇAIS EDGE PAU IN LATE THRILLER TO ESCAPE RELEGATION ZONE
Stade Français 39 - 37 Pau (HT 10-20)
Stade Français secured a crucial 39-37 victory over Pau at Stade Jean-Bouin, lifting themselves out of the Top 14 relegation zone after a pulsating, end-to-end contest. Pau dominated the first half with two tries from Emilien Gailleton and the accurate boot of Joe Simmonds, leading 20-10 at the break. Sekou Macalou’s brace kept the Parisians in the fight, but Pau extended their lead through Clément Mondinat early in the second half. Stade Français rallied late, with Paul Gabrillagues and Lucas Peyresblanques crossing from mauls to snatch the lead. Romain Ruffenach’s last-minute try secured a losing bonus point for Pau, but the hosts celebrated a vital win in their battle for survival.
STADE FRANÇAIS
- Tries: Macalou (24’, 45’), Dakuwaqa (53’), Gabrillagues (71’), Peyresblanques (72’)
- Conversions: Henry (25’, 46’, 54’, 72’)
- Penalties: Henry (16’, 62’)
PAU
- Tries: Gailleton (11’, 35’), Mondinat (52’), Ruffenach (80’)
- Conversions: Simmonds (12’, 36’, 53’, 80’)
- Penalties: Simmonds (6’, 40’, 68’)
PERPIGNAN AND CASTRES SHARE THE SPOILS IN TIGHT DRAW
Perpignan 20 - 20 Castres (HT 14-10)
Perpignan and Castres played out a tense 20-20 draw at Stade Aimé-Giral, with both sides leaving the field feeling they could have secured victory. The hosts dominated the first half, with Tommaso Allan’s boot and a well-finished try from Tavite Veredamu giving them a 14-3 lead. Castres hit back before the break through Josaia Raisuqe’s try, reducing the deficit to 14-10 at halftime. The visitors improved after the interval, with Tyler Ardron powering over in the 55th minute, though he was denied a second try by desperate defense. Allan’s penalties kept Perpignan narrowly ahead until Julien Le Brun’s late three-pointer secured a draw. Both teams took two points, though Perpignan remains close to the relegation zone.
PERPIGNAN
- Tries: Veredamu (35’)
- Penalties: Allan (15’, 20’, 26’, 53’, 58’)
CASTRES
- Tries: Raisuqe (40’), Ardron (55’)
- Conversions: Le Brun (40’, 57’)
- Penalties: Le Brun (30’, 75’)
TOULON HOLD OFF MONTPELLIER IN BEZIERS TO CLAIM CRUCIAL AWAY WIN
Montpellier 30 - 38 Toulon (HT 10-17)
Toulon continued their impressive Top 14 campaign with a hard-fought 38-30 victory over Montpellier in a relocated match at Stade Raoul-Barrière in Béziers. Despite Montpellier showing attacking intent, Toulon’s clinical finishing, particularly after restarts, proved decisive. The visitors scored five tries, including efforts from Baptiste Serin, Jean-Baptiste Sinzelle, Tom Le Corvec, Beka Gigashvili, and a late drop goal from Dan Biggar to seal the win. Brandon Uelese crossed twice for Montpellier, while Tambwe added a late try, but a yellow card to Jan Serfontein and defensive lapses around kick-offs cost the hosts. Toulon moved joint-top of the table, while Montpellier missed a chance to enter the top six.
MONTPELLIER
- Tries: Uelese (14’, 60’), Tambwe (73’)
- Conversions: Hogg (15’), Reus (61’, 74’)
- Penalties: Hogg (39’, 43’, 46’)
TOULON
- Tries: Serin (16’), Sinzelle (40’), Le Corvec (50’), Gigashvili (54’)
- Conversions: Hervé (17’, 40’, 51’)
- Penalties: Hervé (8’, 44’, 68’)
- Drop Goals: Biggar (78’)
TOULOUSE OUTCLASS CLERMONT TO RECLAIM TOP SPOT IN TOP 14
Clermont 18 - 35 Toulouse (HT 8-17)
Stade Toulousain produced a commanding second-half display to defeat ASM Clermont Auvergne 35-18 at Stade Marcel-Michelin, reclaiming the top spot in the Top 14 standings. The visitors showcased their trademark power and precision, pulling away in the final quarter after an initially tight contest. Despite a brief resurgence from Clermont early in the second half, Anthony Jelonch’s brace, combined with Toulouse’s clinical counter-attacking and accurate goal-kicking, secured a valuable away victory and reaffirmed their status as the league’s pacesetters.
CLERMONT
- Tries: Lee (40’), Fouyssac (46’)
- Conversions: Belleau (47’)
- Penalties: Belleau (26’, 56’)
TOULOUSE
- Tries: Delibes (23’), Jelonch (36’, 60’), Graou (69’)
- Conversions: Delpy (24’, 37’), Mallía (61’)
- Penalties: Delpy (8’), Mallía (57’, 67’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 16
That wraps up Round 16 of French Top 14. With teams finding their form, the competition is becoming even more intense, and every match is proving to be a battle. Some teams are making strong early statements, while others are still searching for consistency.
What do you think of this weekend’s action? Which team impressed you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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