Montpellier close in on play-off bye

The European Challenge Cup winners will secure a bye through to the play-off semi-finals if they avoid defeat away to Racing 92 next weekend.

Having outscored Toulon by three tries to two, Montpellier, led by their large South African contingent, now have a four point gap on their beaten rivals in the race for a top two finish.

The result also ensured Clermont of at least a second-placed finish despite the leaders' 11-22 defeat at Toulouse - who booked their play-off berth - earlier in the day.

Mickael Ivaldi was first to cross the whitewash at Montpellier's Altrad Stadium with South African flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis converting.

Fiji flyer Josua Tuisova replied almost immediately for the 2014 champions but his compatriot Timoci Nagusa then stretched Montpellier's lead with a second try.

Catrakilis converted and added a penalty with another South African, Francois Steyn adding a long-range kick from the tee following Jonathan Pelissie's penalty for the visitors.

Xavier Chiocci went over for a converted try on the stroke of half-time leaving Toulon just 15-20 behind.

But Nagusa's second try of the match 12 minutes into the second period helped Montpellier pull away and deny Toulon a losing bonus point.

The victory, and Catrakilis's 13-point haul, helped appease fans who'd taken to social media to complain about France international flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc's omission from the matchday squad in what would have been a chance to say his farewells after 12 years at the club before joining Toulon next year.

Wins for Castres and Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday had put the pressure on fifth-placed Toulouse, the most successful club in France, but French internationals Louis Picamoles and Gael Fickou scored first-half tries while four separate players notched successful penalties to down Clermont.

"We've qualified, the first aim has been achieved, the last day will decide the final placings, we'll see where we finish," said Toulouse coach Ugo Mola.

"In any case, we're training to be difficult to manoeuvre, we'll see what the future brings."

Camille Gerondeau crossed the whitewash for Clermont while Australian Brock James scored two penalties, but the visitors went home empty-handed.

"We need to play well at home to La Rochelle [next weekend], that's obvious," said Clermont coach Franck Azema, whose side will guarantee top spot with a win.

"We know what we need to do, we need to take some points so that we get the job done and rediscover our fluency for what comes next."

Toulouse's victory, in what was likely veteran wing Vincent Clerc's last match at the Ernest-Wallon stadium before joining Toulon next season, means Toulouse are only three points off securing home advantage in the play-off quarterfinals.

Clermont took the lead with a James penalty on three minutes and then extended it from a line-out catch and drive on 18 minutes as Gerondeau touched down.

Toulouse hit back through Picamoles in what may be his last home match for Toulouse before moving to Northampton next season.

New Zealander Luke McAlister scored a penalty and Fickou finished off a slick backs move to give Toulouse a lead they never relinquished.

"It was pretty emotional, it's like a page is turning. Seeing players who've been here for more than 10 years leaving is tough but we know that's part of the game," said Toulouse fullback Maxime Medard.

On Saturday, Bordeaux confirmed their place in next season's European Champions Cup with a 34-7 win over Brive.

Bordeaux scored four tries to earn a bonus point but remain seventh after Castres won 25-20 at relegated Oyonnax later on Saturday.

Bordeaux and Castres - level on points - face a battle in next weekend's final regular season matches to see which one finishes sixth and takes the final spot in the Top 14 play-offs.

On Friday, European Champions Cup finalists Racing 92 kept alive their hopes of finishing the regular season in the top two with a 30-14 win at La Rochelle.

However, they must beat Montpellier with a bonus point, denying their opponents one, and hope Toulon do not earn a bonus-point win at home to Bordeaux next weekend.

Results:

Toulouse 22 Clermont 11

Montpellier 36 Toulon 21

Bordeaux-Begles 34 Brive 7

Stade Francais 28 Agen 26

Pau 29 Grenoble 12

Oyonnax 20 Castres 25

La Rochelle 14 Racing92 30

Agence France-Presse