Round 20 of the Top 14 delivered another unforgettable weekend of French rugby—packed with comebacks, blowouts, upsets, and playoff drama.
Toulouse flexed their attacking firepower with a dominant win over Pau, Montpellier pulled off one of the greatest turnarounds of the season, and Racing 92 snapped their home drought with a much-needed victory over UBB. Meanwhile, Castres, Bayonne, and Clermont kept their playoff pushes alive, while Vannes and Perpignan shared the points in a dramatic bottom-of-the-table clash.
Let’s dive into every match result, standout performance, and highlight from Round 20.
CAPUOZZO SHINES WITH HAT-TRICK AS TOULOUSE CRUSH PAU IN TOP 14 SHOWCASE
Toulouse 55 – 10 Pau (HT: 20-3)
A sensational hat-trick from Italian flyer Ange Capuozzo inspired a rampant Toulouse side to a 55-10 demolition of Pau at Ernest-Wallon in Round 20 of the Top 14. With their internationals returning and momentum building ahead of next week’s Champions Cup clash, Ugo Mola’s men sent a strong statement as they maintained top spot with a breathtaking attacking display. Pau struck first through a Joe Simmonds penalty in the opening minutes, but once Toulouse found their rhythm, there was no turning back. Capuozzo lit up the stadium with two electric tries in the space of three minutes — first slicing through off a clever Pita Akhi pass, then finishing again after a sweeping move involving Paul Graou and Cyril Baille. A stunning coast-to-coast try just before the break, featuring quick hands from Mallia and Capuozzo before Ramos finished it off, left the home crowd roaring. Capuozzo wasn’t done yet. Early in the second half, he claimed his third after scooping up a loose pass and dancing through the defence. With the floodgates open, Toulouse ran in further tries from Mallia (twice), Akhi, Lacombre, and finally Julien Marchand, as the league leaders surged into Champions Cup form. A late penalty try was all Pau could muster, as their hopes of cracking the top 6 took a hit.
TOULOUSE
- Tries: Capuozzo (24’, 27’, 49’), Mallia (37’, 58’), Akhi (64’), Lacombre (76’), Merkler (80’)
- Conversions: Ramos (38’, 50’, 59’, 65’, 77’, 80’)
- Penalties: Ramos (21’)
PAU
- Try: Penalty try (72’)
- Penalties: Simmonds (2’)
CLERMONT OUTMUSCLE LA ROCHELLE TO SECURE VITAL HOME WIN
Clermont 33 – 19 La Rochelle (HT: 23-14)
Clermont snapped a five-match home losing streak in the Top 14 with a commanding 33-19 win over a misfiring La Rochelle side at the Stade Marcel-Michelin. On a pressure-filled afternoon, the Jaunards delivered a physical and clinical performance to move provisionally into the top five, while the visitors’ winless streak extended to eight matches. La Rochelle started brightly, pouncing early through Teddy Thomas after a clever kick from Ihaia West created havoc in the backfield. West added the conversion to make it 7-0 inside six minutes. But Clermont, playing with renewed determination, hit back quickly. Anthony Belleau’s reliable boot brought them within a point through two penalties, and after a cagey period filled with handling errors and tactical kicking, the hosts struck decisively on the half-hour. George Moala powered through to score Clermont’s first try after a series of bruising phases, giving the home side the lead. Minutes later, rising star Barnabé Massa added a second try from a well-executed maul, while La Rochelle lost Levani Botia to the sin-bin for infringing. Belleau added another penalty, and Clermont took a deserved 23-14 lead into the break. Just two minutes into the second half, Clermont struck again. After a handling error by La Rochelle inside their own 22, Ange Capuozzo picked up a slick offload from Irae Simone and finished out wide to stretch the lead. Though Belleau missed the conversion, the pressure was mounting on the visitors. Will Skelton powered over for La Rochelle to reduce the gap after a driving maul, but West’s missed conversion kept them two scores behind. Clermont’s reply was immediate—and emphatic. Moala was at it again, latching onto a smart grubber kick by Raka and bulldozing through multiple defenders to score his second try of the day. Despite late efforts from the visitors, a mix of knock-ons, poor lineouts, and misfired passes cost La Rochelle dearly. A disallowed try in the 76th minute summed up their frustrations, as Clermont’s defence remained composed to close out the match.
CLERMONT
- Tries: Moala (30’, 54’), Massa (35’), Raka (42’)
- Conversions: Belleau (31’, 36’)
- Penalties: Belleau (8’, 14’, 28’)
LA ROCHELLE
- Tries: Thomas (6’), Bosmorin (25’), Skelton (49’)
- Conversions: West (7’, 26’)
BAYONNE OVERPOWER LOU TO EXTEND HOME WINNING STREAK
Bayonne 28 – 14 Lyon (HT: 18-6)
Bayonne made it ten wins from ten at Stade Jean-Dauger this season with a commanding 28-14 bonus-point victory over Lyon, tightening their grip on fourth place in the Top 14. Behind a dominant set-piece and opportunistic attacking play, the Basques secured a crucial five-point result that pushes Lyon out of the playoff spots. The match began in frenetic fashion, with Bayonne making early errors in the windy conditions, including several kicks directly into touch. But it was the hosts who struck first. On their first visit to Lyon’s 22, scrum-half Maxime Rouet took a quick tap penalty and darted over the line for the opening score (5-0, 9’). Léo Berdeu responded with a penalty for the visitors (5-3, 17’), but a reply from Joris Segonds kept Bayonne ahead (8-3, 27’). Bayonne’s front row was instrumental in the game’s turning point. Following a stolen lineout, Cormenier delivered a slick inside pass to Bosch, who drew in the final defender before offloading to hooker Tatafu for a brilliant try (15-3, 30’). Unfortunately, the game was then halted for several minutes after a horrific collision between Davit Niniashvili and Arthur Iturria resulted in a head-on-head clash. Niniashvili was stretchered off but gave a reassuring thumbs-up. Iturria also failed his HIA and left the match. After the delay, Berdeu slotted a second penalty (15-6, 35’), only for Segonds to cancel it out just before halftime (18-6, 40’). Lyon showed promise early in the second half, as Berdeu narrowed the gap to 18-9 with another penalty (50’). But Bayonne quickly reclaimed momentum through a powerful driving maul, which set up winger Erbinartegaray for a try in the corner after a wide, looping pass (23-9, 54’). Just minutes later, the hosts sealed the bonus point when Germain picked from the ruck and linked with Cheick Tiberghien, who stepped off his left foot to score a classy individual try (28-9, 60’). Lyon’s only try came through Tchaptchet, who made amends for his earlier defensive lapse by crashing over from close range after a quick-tap penalty (28-14, 67’). However, it wasn’t enough to deny Bayonne the attacking bonus point.
BAYONNE
- Tries: Rouet (10’), Tatafu (28’), Erbinartegaray (53’), Tiberghien (59’)
- Conversions: Segonds (29’)
- Penalties: Segonds (26’, 40’)
LYON
- Try: Tchaptchet (66’)
- Penalties: Berdeu (17’, 35’, 50’)
MONTPELLIER COMPLETE STUNNING 26-POINT COMEBACK TO STUN STADE FRANÇAIS
Montpellier 38 – 32 Stade Français (HT: 3-22)
Montpellier produced one of the greatest comebacks of the Top 14 season, overturning a 26-point deficit to defeat Stade Français 38-32 in a heart-stopping finish at the GGL Stadium. A last-minute try by Christopher Tolofua capped off a remarkable second-half revival for the hosts, who were trailing 29-3 early in the second half. The match began in the worst possible way for Montpellier. Within four minutes, Samuel Ezeala smashed through Léo Coly, allowing Louis Carbonel to convert and give Stade Français an early 7-0 lead. Despite a penalty exchange between Carbonel and Coly, the visitors controlled the first half, showing structure and dominance in all areas. After a yellow card for Yacouba Camara, Stade Français took full advantage: Joe Marchant intercepted deep in his own half and set up Tanginoa Halaifonua for the second try (3-17, 28’), before Ryan Chapuis added a third (3-22, 36’). At halftime, the match looked beyond Montpellier. But key substitutions at the break—including Cobus Reinach, Lenni Nouchi, and Sam Simmonds—sparked a transformation. Although Stade Français extended their lead with a fourth try through Jeremy Ward (3-29, 45’), Montpellier suddenly caught fire. A powerful score from Baptiste Erdocio (10-29, 48’) ignited the crowd, before George Bridge raced down the wing for a second Montpellier try. With Stuart Hogg flawless from the tee, the score narrowed to 17-29 (59’). Carbonel added another penalty (17-32, 62’) after Nika Abuladze was sin-binned, but Montpellier weren’t done. Down to 14 men, they struck again through Gabriel Ngandebe, who burst through after a slick lineout move (24-32, 66’). Stade Français began to panic under pressure and a misjudged clearance from Léo Barré only fueled the hosts’ momentum. Arthur Vincent broke through tackles to score Montpellier’s fourth try with four minutes remaining, and Hogg’s conversion made it a one-point game (31-32, 76’). With the clock ticking into overtime, Montpellier launched one final assault. Phase after phase wore down the visitors’ defense, and it was Christopher Tolofua who crashed over at the death. Hogg’s conversion ensured Stade Français left without even a losing bonus point.
MONTPELLIER
- Tries: Erdocio (47’), Bridge (56’), Ngandebe (65’), Vincent (75’), Tolofua (80’)
- Conversions: Hogg (48’, 57’, 66’, 76’, 80’)
- Penalties: Coly (15’)
STADE FRANÇAIS
- Tries: Ezeala (3’), Halaifonua (27’), Chapuis (36’), Ward (44’)
- Conversions: Carbonel (4’, 28’, 45’)
- Penalties: Carbonel (11’, 62’)
VANNES DENIED VITAL VICTORY AS ALLAN’S LAST-GASP KICK EARNS PERPIGNAN DRAW
Vannes 20 – 20 Perpignan (HT: 10-10)
In a pulsating bottom-of-the-table clash at La Rabine, Vannes were left heartbroken after Tommaso Allan’s post-siren penalty salvaged a 20-20 draw for Perpignan in Round 20 of the Top 14. The hosts, who had led by 10 points with just three minutes remaining, were denied a crucial win in their fight for survival. Vannes started the brighter of the two relegation-threatened sides. With just six minutes on the clock, powerful carries deep in Perpignan territory allowed Thomas Moukoro to crash over the line for the opening try. Lafage added the extras to give the hosts a 7-0 lead. Perpignan nearly responded in the 14th minute but were denied a try after TMO intervention. However, they didn’t have to wait long. After Delpy slotted a penalty to narrow the gap, the Catalans pounced with a stunning counterattack. Duguivalu and Veredamu linked up brilliantly down the right, before captain Jeronimo De La Fuente finished the move. Delpy converted, and Perpignan surged ahead 10-7 by the 20-minute mark. Vannes hit back through a Lafage penalty (31’) to tie the score, and although they dominated the final stages of the half—winning field position and territory—they failed to capitalize on a final penalty opportunity. The second half opened with the same energy, and once again it was Lafage who nudged Vannes ahead with a penalty in the 54th minute. Perpignan pushed forward in response, but Delpy missed back-to-back chances—a penalty and a long-range drop goal—before Oviedo was held up over the line in a huge defensive stand from Vannes. That effort seemed to inspire the hosts, and with time ticking down, Taccola powered over in the 76th minute to score what looked like the decisive try. Lafage’s conversion stretched the lead to 20-10 and sparked scenes of celebration. But Perpignan refused to die. A rolling maul in the 78th minute saw Jordan Lam touch down, and replacement fly-half Tommaso Allan added the pressure conversion (20-17). Then, after the siren, Perpignan earned a final penalty inside Vannes territory. Allan calmly slotted the kick to silence the crowd and secure two crucial points.
VANNES
- Tries: Moukoro (6’), Taccola (76’)
- Conversions: Lafage (7’, 77’)
- Penalties: Lafage (33’, 56’)
PERPIGNAN
- Tries: De La Fuente (19’), Lam (78’)
- Conversions: Delpy (20’), Allan (79’)
- Penalties: Delpy (17’), Allan (80’)
CASTRES EDGE TOULON IN THRILLER DESPITE NONU RETURN TO STAY IN TOP 5 HUNT
Castres 28 – 26 Toulon (HT: 24-14)
Castres held on for a narrow 28-26 win over Toulon in a thrilling Top 14 Round 20 clash at Stade Pierre-Fabre, with the hosts surviving a late scare to maintain their place in the top five. Despite a spirited second-half comeback from Toulon—highlighted by Ma’a Nonu’s return at age 42 and a late disallowed try by Jules Danglot—Castres escaped with the win thanks to first-half attacking brilliance and clutch kicking from Pierre Popelin’s replacement Le Brun. Toulon struck first when Tuicuvu charged down a poor clearance, leading to Coulon’s try. But Castres hit back immediately as Arata sliced through the defence for a superb solo score. Botitu then made amends for his earlier error with a try of his own following sustained pressure. Lucchesi answered for Toulon off a rolling maul, but Castres responded again through Ambadiang, who pounced on a fortuitous grubber. The second half saw Toulon dominate possession, sparked by Jaminet’s impact and Nonu’s slick hands. Wainiqolo grabbed a try in the 61st minute with Arata in the sin bin, before scoring again in the 73rd to bring Toulon within two points. Jaminet’s missed conversion proved pivotal. In the dying moments, Danglot looked to have snatched victory, but the try was ruled out for a forward pass. Castres survived the final phase to claim a vital win.
CASTRES
- Tries: Arata (20’), Botitu (29’), Ambadiang (36’)
- Conversions: Le Brun (21’, 30’)
- Penalties: Le Brun (12’, 65’, 68’)
TOULON
- Tries: Coulon (18’), Lucchesi (32’), Wainiqolo (61’, 73’)
- Conversions: Biggar (19’, 33’), Jaminet (62’)
RACING 92 HOLD OFF UBB LATE CHARGE TO END HOME DROUGHT AND CLIMB THE TABLE
Racing 92 36 – 31 Bordeaux-Bègles (HT: 18-12)
Racing 92 secured a crucial 36-31 victory over high-flying Bordeaux-Bègles at Paris La Défense Arena, ending a five-month winless run at home and easing their relegation fears in the process. The Parisians started fast and relied on a dominant forward pack to establish a first-half lead through tries from Guram Gogichashvili, Feleti Kaitu’u, and Nolann Le Garrec. Despite a late surge from UBB, including two tries in the final minutes, Racing held on to claim the points and climb to 11th in the Top 14 table. The hosts came out firing, with early pressure rewarded as Gogichashvili crashed over from close range. UBB answered quickly, spreading the ball wide for Madosh Tambwe (initially credited to Samu) before Latterrade dotted down from a rolling maul. But Racing kept swinging—Le Garrec and Kaitu’u both powered over to wrestle back momentum, with the scrum-half adding a penalty before the break. Le Garrec then turned poacher early in the second half, intercepting Uberti’s pass to score and extend the lead. Dan Lancaster took over kicking duties and slotted two penalties to make it 29-12. Although UBB responded through Bielle-Biarrey and gained a numerical edge when Tarrit saw yellow, Racing punched back once more as Kaitu’u bagged his second. Bordeaux fought until the end—Van Rensburg scored following a Jalibert break, and Retière finished a slick move late—but Racing held firm. The losing bonus point salvaged something for UBB, who remain second, while Racing breathe easier in 11th.
RACING 92
- Tries: Gogichashvili (3’), Kaitu’u (28’, 71’), Le Garrec (46’)
- Conversions: Le Garrec (4’), Lancaster (71’)
- Penalties: Le Garrec (19’, 40’), Lancaster (50;, 57’)
BORDEAUX-BÈGLES
- Tries: Tambwe/Samu (12’), Latterrade (15’), Bielle-Biarrey (60’), Van Rensburg (73’), Retière (79’)
- Conversions: Jalibert (13’, 61’, 80’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 20
With just six rounds remaining, the Top 14 playoff race is officially in overdrive. Toulouse continue to set the pace, but teams like Bayonne, Castres, and Clermont are building serious momentum, while Montpellier’s miracle win could spark a late-season surge. At the other end, the relegation battle is tightening after Vannes’ heartbreak and Racing’s vital bounce-back. One thing’s for sure—every game from here is must-watch rugby.
Who impressed you most in Round 20? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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