Round 23 of the 2025 Top 14 season featured high-stakes drama across the board.
Toulouse delivered a statement win in Marseille to book a semi-final spot, La Rochelle edged Vannes with a last-play drop goal, and Montpellier surged into the playoff zone with a bonus-point victory. Pau, Perpignan, and Racing 92 all kept their campaigns alive in a weekend full of late drama and decisive performances.
- Lyon 27 – 29 Pau
- Racing 92 24 – 24 Bayonne
- Vannes 29 – 30 La Rochelle
- Perpignan 20 – 18 Stade Français
- Toulon 16 – 60 Toulouse
- Montpellier 46 – 27 Union Bordeaux-Bègles
Here are all the recaps and highlights from Round 23:
PAU EDGE LYON IN THRILLING TOP 14 DUEL TO KEEP PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE
Lyon 27 – 29 Pau (HT: 10–26)
Section Paloise pulled off a massive away win in Lyon on Saturday afternoon, holding off a second-half comeback from LOU to claim a 29–27 victory and stay firmly in the hunt for a Top 6 finish in the Top 14. Pau dominated the first half with four tries, punishing Lyon’s indiscipline and capitalizing on territorial dominance. Lucas Rey opened the scoring from a rolling maul (11’), before Hewat finished smartly in the corner off a sharp move initiated by Émilien Gailleton (15’). Despite a response from Lyon’s Tanguy Charcosset (27’), Pau pushed further ahead with Clément Picquette crashing over after pick-and-go pressure (37’) and Théo Attissogbe redeeming an earlier error with a try just before the break (40’), set up by Jack Maddocks’ pinpoint kick. Down 10–26 at halftime and playing a man down, Lyon flipped the script after the interval with renewed energy and a more aggressive bench. Yanis Tchaptchet gave the hosts life with a sharp finish after a quick tap (50’), followed by Guillaume Marchand’s try off a maul (62’), and a second from Tchaptchet in the 68th minute that gave Lyon a 27–26 lead. But Pau stayed composed, and when Lyon conceded their 16th penalty of the match, Thibault Daubagna stepped up to nail the match-winner in the 75th minute. Lyon had one final shot, but controversy surrounded the final ruck as Guillard appeared to be cleared out high by Tuipulotu, with no whistle from the referee. The win lifts Pau back into playoff contention, while Lyon — missing key players — squandered their chance by only turning up for 40 minutes of rugby.
LYON
- Tries: Charcosset (26’), Tchaptchet (50’, 68’), Marchand (61’)
- Conversions: Meliande (27’, 62’)
- Penalties: Meliande (3’)
PAU
- Tries: Rey (9’), Hewat (15’), Picquette (37’), Attissogbe (40’)
- Conversions: Desperes (10’, 38’, 40’)
- Penalties: Desperes (76’)
RACING 92 AND BAYONNE SHARE THE SPOILS IN TOP 14 THRILLER
Racing 92 24 – 24 Bayonne (HT: 8–7)
Racing 92 and Aviron Bayonnais played out a dramatic 24–24 draw in Nanterre on Saturday, a result that leaves both sides with mixed emotions as the Top 14 playoff race intensifies. The hosts dominated early territory and possession but failed to convert pressure into points, while the visitors capitalized on key moments with clinical execution to secure two valuable points away from home. Wame Naituvi opened the scoring for Racing in the 11th minute after a looping pass from Antoine Gibert (5–0), and Nolann Le Garrec added a penalty (18’) to make it 8–0. But a brilliant counter from Bayonne moments later, sparked by a midfield turnover, ended with a penalty try after Tuisova tackled Mori off the ball just before he could catch the decisive pass (19’). Both teams were reduced to 14 men during a scrappy first half, and the scoreboard remained tight heading into the break. The second half exploded into life. Le Garrec nudged Racing ahead with a penalty (45’), but Esteban Capilla powered over from close range for Bayonne after a well-executed maul (49’) to take a 14–11 lead. Le Garrec levelled it (60’), but Joris Segonds immediately responded with a clever drop goal off the crossbar (62’) for a 17–14 Bayonne advantage. Then came the moment of brilliance: a clever lineout move launched Josua Tuisova like a missile through the Bayonne defense for a stunning solo try (70’), swinging the lead back to Racing 21–17. But Bayonne refused to fold. After strong pressure and a maul deep in Racing’s 22, the ball went wide to Xan Mousques, who dotted down in the corner (76’) to make it 24–21. Le Garrec slotted a penalty (79’) to tie the match, and Segonds missed a long-range penalty in stoppage time that would have sealed victory for Bayonne. While Bayonne strengthened their playoff position, Racing were left ruing missed chances and careless errors in a match they largely controlled.
RACING 92
- Tries: Naituvi (11’), Tuisova (69’)
- Conversions: Le Garrec (70’)
- Penalties: Le Garrec (18’, 45’, 60’, 79’)
BAYONNE
- Tries: Penalty Try (19’), Capilla (49’), Mousques (75’)
- Conversions: Segonds (50’, 77')
- Drop Goal: Segonds (62’)
LAST-GASP HASTOY DROP GOAL BREAKS VANNES’ HEARTS IN TOP 14 THRILLER
Vannes 29 – 30 La Rochelle (HT: 16–12)
Antoine Hastoy crushed Vannes’ hopes with a dramatic match-winning drop goal on the final play as La Rochelle stole a 30–29 victory in a pulsating Top 14 encounter at Stade de la Rabine. The result sends La Rochelle into the playoff spots, while Vannes remain bottom of the table despite a valiant performance. The match began with a nightmare start for the hosts as Dillyn Leyds and Paul Boudehent crossed early for La Rochelle, opening up a 12–0 lead within 10 minutes. Vannes were reduced to 14 men as Francis Saili saw yellow in the 2nd minute, and looked overwhelmed by the power of the visitors. However, the Bretons found their rhythm, sparked by a try from Théo Béziat (24’) and a flawless kicking display from Maxime Lafage, who guided Vannes to a 16–12 halftime lead. Lafage added another penalty early in the second half to stretch the margin to 19–12. La Rochelle regrouped and struck back through Quentin Lespiaucq (64’) to level the game at 22–22, despite playing part of the second half with 14 men after Tawera Kerr-Barlow was sin-binned. Lespiaucq then turned provider with an offload to Jules Favre, who scored in the 72nd minute to put La Rochelle ahead 27–22. But Vannes were not done. With just two minutes to play, Thomas Moukoro powered over for his ninth try of the season (78’), reclaiming the lead for Vannes at 29–27 in front of a roaring home crowd. Just when it seemed the hosts had pulled off another upset, up stepped Antoine Hastoy. From 40 meters out, the French fly-half calmly slotted a stunning drop goal as the clock hit 80, sealing an unforgettable win for La Rochelle.
VANNES
- Tries: Béziat (24’), Moukoro (78’)
- Conversions: Lafage (25’, 79’)
- Penalties: Lafage (14’, 34’, 37’, 44’, 53’)
LA ROCHELLE
- Tries: Leyds (4’), Boudehent (9’), Lespiaucq (63’), Favre (72’)
- Conversions: Hastoy (5’, 64’)
- Penalties: Hastoy (46’)
- Drop Goal: Hastoy (80’)
PERPIGNAN EDGE STADE FRANÇAIS IN NERVE-RACKING RELEGATION BATTLE
Perpignan 20 – 18 Stade Français (HT: 3–10)
Perpignan took a huge step in their battle for Top 14 survival with a dramatic 20–18 win over Stade Français at Aimé-Giral, surviving a tense second half to leapfrog their rivals in the standings and leave the Parisians dangerously close to the bottom. In a match marked by fear and tension more than flair, both sides struggled for fluency, especially in a first half riddled with handling errors and penalties. Stade Français made the most of the disjointed start, taking the lead just before the break when Dakuwaqa capitalized on a fumble by Duguivalu to score the opening try (39’). With a penalty from Henry, the visitors took a 10–3 lead into halftime. Perpignan returned from the break with renewed intent, feeding off the energy of a roaring home crowd. Their reward came via a powerful rolling maul finished off by a Penalty Try (42’), tying the match at 10–10. But moments later, a risky pass from James Hall was picked off by Sekou Macalou, who raced under the posts to restore Paris’ lead with a stunning interception try (48’). The game then descended into a battle of nerves and missed opportunities. Jake Allan missed two crucial penalty attempts for the hosts, while Henry also failed to extend Stade Français’ lead. As the pressure mounted, ill-discipline proved costly for Paris — a yellow card to Azagoh in the 74th minute opened the door for Allan to slot a penalty and edge USAP ahead 20–18. With just minutes left, Henry had a chance to reclaim the lead for the visitors, but his kick drifted wide. Another breakdown infringement from Stade Français sealed their fate. Perpignan expertly closed out the final moments, Allan tapping and booting the ball into the stands to ignite celebrations in the Catalan stronghold. Stade Français are now on a four-game losing streak and sit just one point ahead of bottom club Vannes. For Perpignan, it was a vital breath of fresh air in a suffocating relegation scrap — not a heroic performance, but one of survival.
PERPIGNAN
- Tries: Penalty Try (42’), Velarte (61’)
- Conversions: Allan (62’)
- Penalties: Delpy (24’), Allan (75’)
STADE FRANÇAIS
- Tries: Dakuwaqa (40’), Macalou (48’)
- Conversions: Henry (40’)
- Penalties: Henry (21’, 64’)
TOULOUSE DESTROY TOULON AT THE VÉLODROME TO CLINCH SEMI-FINAL SPOT
Toulon 16 – 50 Toulouse (HT: 13–14)
Toulouse confirmed their direct qualification for the Top 14 semi-finals with a stunning 50–16 victory over Toulon at a sold-out Orange Vélodrome, punishing the hosts’ indiscipline and running in eight tries in a performance of power, precision, and ruthlessness. Reduced to 13 men in the opening quarter after yellow cards to Abadie and Serin, and eventually a red for Serin (39’) after a second yellow, Toulon were always chasing the game against a clinical Stade Toulousain side that never looked back once they gained control. Toulouse opened the scoring early with a penalty try from a dominant maul (9’), before Castro-Ferreira powered over with a strong carry through the middle (15’). Despite a penalty from Domon and a spirited close-range try from Alainu’uese after a brilliant break by Fainga’anuku (28’), the hosts failed to recover from the loss of their playmaker Serin before the break. The second half turned into a one-way demolition. Chocobares (47’) and Saito (57’) extended the lead with dynamic strikes, before Lebel (67’), Barassi (73’) and Graou (78’) added further punishment to a crumbling Toulon defense. Toulouse, who now sit clear at the top of the table, reminded everyone of their championship credentials with a dominant all-round display. For Toulon, it was a humbling night on a grand stage, and their hopes for a top-two finish are now in serious jeopardy.
TOULON
- Tries: Alainu’uese (28’)
- Conversions: Domon (29’)
- Penalties: Domon (12’, 19’, 53’)
TOULOUSE
- Tries: Penalty Try (10’), Castro-Ferreira (15’), Chocobares (48’), Saito (59’), Costes (66’), Lebel (68’), Barassi (74’), Graou (79’)
- Conversions: Ntamack (11’), Graou (69’, 75’, 80’)
MONTPELLIER DOMINATE BORDEAUX-BÈGLES TO ENTER TOP 6 WITH BONUS-POINT WIN
Montpellier 46 – 27 Union Bordeaux-Bègles (HT: 31–10)
Montpellier delivered a commanding performance on Sunday night, overpowering a rotated Union Bordeaux-Bègles side 46–27 at the GGL Stadium to claim a crucial bonus-point victory. The result lifts the MHR into sixth place on the Top 14 table with just three rounds remaining, keeping their playoff ambitions very much alive. The hosts exploded out of the gates with a clinical opening half-hour, punishing Bordeaux-Bègles’ early indiscipline. Maël Moustin, facing his former club, scored twice in quick succession, while Joshua Moorby added a long-range intercept try and Lenni Nouchi finished off a superb team move to stretch the lead to 31–3 by the 29th minute. Though UBB responded before the break, Montpellier went into halftime with a commanding 31–10 advantage. UBB briefly threatened a comeback in the second half with a quick try from Jon Echegaray and a penalty by Joey Carbery, cutting the deficit to 31–20. But Montpellier responded with composure. Anthony Bouthier’s pinpoint cross-field kick found George Bridge for their fifth try, and Bouthier sealed the match himself with a clever late score under the posts. Despite a spirited effort from the visitors in the final minutes—including a consolation try—the damage had been done. Montpellier secured their ninth home win of the season and climbed into the playoff spots, while Bordeaux-Bègles, unable to claim even a losing bonus, now face increased pressure from Toulon just behind them.
MONTPELLIER
- Tries: Moustin (13’, 22’), Moorby (18’), Nouchi (28’), Bridge (57’), Bouthier (72’)
- Conversions: Coly (14’, 19’, 23’, 29’), Vincent (73’)
- Penalties: Coly (7’, 65’)
UNION BORDEAUX-BÈGLES
- Tries: Carbery (40’), Echegaray (42’, 75’)
- Conversions: Carbery (40’, 43’, 76’)
- Penalties: Carbery (3’, 48’)
(highlight coming soon)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 23
With just three rounds left in the regular season, the Top 14 playoff race is heating up.
Toulouse are now locked into a top-two finish, while Montpellier and Pau continue to climb. Meanwhile, the relegation battle remains tense, with Perpignan gaining ground and Stade Français sliding dangerously close to the bottom.
Round 24 could prove decisive for both ends of the table.
Who impressed you most in Round 23? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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