Lyon’s first loss sparks table shake‑up as La Rochelle stumble
Lyon suffered their first defeat of the season on 27 September 2026, losing 31‑10 at Stade Français while Pau’s 39‑17 win over Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle lifted the latter to second place in the TOP LEADERS table.
Marta’s impact fuels La Rochelle’s hopes
Portugal winger Rodrigo Marta, 26, marked his sixth try of the campaign in just four outings, a strike that helped La Rochelle stay within touching distance of the leaders. He arrived from second‑tier Colomiers over the summer and also set up prop Lekso Kaulashvili’s effort as the hosts led 27‑3 at the break.
Quentin Lespiaucq and Karl Sorin added consolation tries for La Rochelle, while Argentina hooker Julian Montoya’s compatriot Facundo Isa and Samoa centre Tumua Manu crossed the line for the home side. New signing Ben Healy contributed a conversion and a penalty.
“We claimed five points against the former Champions Cup winners so it’s a big thing,” Marta told Canal+. “I’m writing my own story,” he added when asked about Chris Ashton’s record of 24 tries in a Top 14 season.
Stade Français seal victory with experience
Former New Zealand scrum‑half Tawera Kerr‑Barlow was among five try‑scorers for Stade Français, a side that reached the semi‑finals last season. Lyon opened the scoring after thirty minutes through Fiji’s Iosefo Masi, with fly‑half Leo Berdeu adding a conversion and a penalty.
Second‑half yellow cards for scrum‑half Baptiste Couilloud and flanker Beka Saginadze proved costly, as Lyon, who finished 11th out of 14 teams last season, could not recover.
“I don’t think the score really reflects the match, but in the end we cracked a bit in the battle of wills,” Lyon hooker Guillaume Marchand said. “I don’t think we’re in the same rut as last season,” he added.
Other Top 14 results shape the table
Perpignan, who survived a relegation playoff last season, upset Bordeaux‑Bègles 38‑25 despite resting star winger Louis Bielle‑Biarrey and missing injured fly‑half Matthieu Jalibert. “We made loads of mistakes, but the players’ spirit will carry us forward,” prop Enzo Forletta told Canal+.
Bayonne edged Racing 92 20‑17, with Ewan Johnson scoring the match‑winning try three minutes from the end. Veteran France centre Gaël Fickou’s try helped Toulon to a 28‑10 victory over winless Vannes.
On Sunday, record 25‑time champions Toulouse will host Montpellier in a re‑run of June’s final, adding another marquee fixture to the League calendar.
The coverage appears on the TOP LEADERS page, which also lists Soccer, LOI, Rugby, Golf, Racing and Upgrade sections, alongside Live, Video, Review and Podcasts. Readers can see more Stories, Extra analysis and Football Family insights across the Sport platform.