Weakened Toulouse edge Montauban in Top 14

Toulouse made light of a depleted squad to edge Montauban 17-12 in the French Top 14 on Saturday, moving them to within six points of league leaders Castres.

The three-time European champions were missing eleven international players, including eight Frenchmen, and had six players absent through injury.

They took a third-minute lead through a Frederic Michalak penalty but were 7-6 down at the interval after Montauban fly-half Leonard Olivier went over for a converted try.

The visitors began the second period with just 13 men after Emmanuel Etien and Matthew Clarkin were shown yellow cards but they contrived to extend their lead in the first minute of the half when full-back Julien Laharrague went over.

Toulouse, though, responded immediately via a Remy Lamerat score and sewed up victory through penalties from Michalak and Nicolas Bezy, whose kick sailed over from fully 50 metres.

In Saturday’s other match, Brive won 25-3 at Montpellier.

Clermont host second-bottom Bourgoin in Saturday’s evening game, while second-placed Perpignan’s match at struggling Bayonne has been postponed after three players at the Catalan club contracted swine flu.

In Friday’s matches, Castres cemented their grip on the summit with a thumping 34-6 win over Biarritz while Toulon won 22-18 at Stade Francais.

Toulon were aided by a 17-point haul from Jonny Wilkinson, while Racing Metro were indebted to Andrew Mehrtens for kicking all of their points in a 9-6 victory against bottom club Albi.

“The score is a boon. We knew it would be tough and we’re very happy to have picked up ten points from two title pretenders,” said Castres winger Yoan Audrin, referring to the bonus win over Toulouse in their previous match.