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White's Montpellier extend Stade Francais woes

Paris - Montpellier recorded their first ever Top 14 win over defending champions Stade Francais in Paris on Sunday, winning 26-20 to move into second spot in the league.

It was the Jake White-coached team's seventh consecutive league triumph, against the Parisian club that has struggled this season and is currently lying 12th having lost 14 of its 21 games so far.

Since the creation of the Top 14 in 2005, Montpellier had lost nine times in the French capital, shipping an average of 35 points, but that changed at Stade Jean Bouin without the visitors being in particularly brilliant form.

Montpellier flyhalf Ben Lucas traded two first-half penalties with Stade counterpart Jules Plisson, visiting hooker Mickael Ivaldi scoring the half's sole try.

Fiji flanker Akapusi Qera extended Montpellier's lead in the second period with a second try off the back of another strong rolling maul.

Plisson scored three more penalties in an error-free kicking display to one from Benoit Paillaugue to keep Stade in the game.

Replacement scrumhalf Paillaugue then crossed for a try two minutes from time that he also converted to make the game safe, Stade snatching a losing bonus point when Jeremy Sinzelle crossed for a five-pointer on full time.

Toulouse host Racing 92 in the day's late game.

In Saturday's matches, the Armitage brothers, Delon (2) and Steffon, scored three tries between them as Toulon sealed a 25-9 bonus-point victory at Pau, while leaders Clermont saw off bottom side Agen 38-10.

Elsewhere, Hikairo Forbes scored the only try of the game and Zack Holmes kicked 17 points as La Rochelle continued their wonderful home form by edging past fifth-placed Bordeaux-Begles 22-15. Brive put four tries past relegation-destined Oyonnax in a 31-13 bonus-point win.

Castres moved into the final play-off spot on Friday by winning a gripping match at Grenoble 33-28, leaving their opponents six points adrift of the top six.

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