Toulouse suffer shock Top 14 defeat to Perpignan

Top 14 Rugby leaders Toulouse suffered a surprise 25-10 defeat to Perpignan on Friday, piling on the misery for the French giants who crashed out of the Heineken Cup last weekend.

Defending champions Toulouse had been 7-6 ahead at the break at the Aime-Giral stadium after Argentine lock Patricio Albacete had crossed for a 35th-minute try.

But Welsh star James Hook then kicked four successive penalties to add to the two he had booted in the first period as Perpignan took control.

A last-minute try from full-back Joffrey Michel was the icing on the cake for the home side while Hook finished with 20 points thanks to his successful conversion.

Toulouse had been knocked out of the European Cup quarter-finals last week losing 19-14 to Edinburgh.

They were also hamstrung by a lengthy injury list which includes Maxime Medard, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Romain Millo-Chluski, Akvsenti Giorgadze, Louis Picamoles, Vincent Clerc and Luke McAlister.

Friday’s loss marked the first time that Toulouse had lost consecutive Heineken Cup and Top 14 matches since December 2009 although they still stayed top of the table.