Stade Francais batter Clermont to boost Top 14 semi-final bid

Fiji winger Peniasi Dakuwaqa capped off an impressive 64-20 Stade Francais rout of Clermont on Sunday as they strengthened their French Top 14 semi-final hopes.

Dakuwaqa scored two of the Parisians' nine tries as they surged late, climbing to third place — level on points with Pau but behind on head-to-head record in the race for the final last-four spot.

Clermont remain in sixth after a second straight defeat after losing to Montpellier last weekend.

Stade Francais host Welsh region the Dragons next week in the Challenge Cup last 16, while Clermont face two weeks without a game having been knocked out of the Champions Cup.

The Paris-based side led 24-8 at the break after tries from full-back Leo Barre, lock Pierre-Henri Azagoh and No 8 Yoan Tanga as fly-half Louis Carbonel kicked nine points.

Argentina winger Bautista Delguy responded for the visitors and former New Zealand outside-half Harry Plummer slotted a penalty.

Paul Gustard's hosts made sure of victory in the second half thanks to efforts from South African centre Jeremy Ward and Tonga back-rower Tanginoa Halaifonua, replacement flanker Sekou Macalou, flyer Dakuwaqa and his double, as well as winger Charles Laloi.

On Saturday, France superstar Antoine Dupont was a second-half substitute as Toulouse beat a much-changed Montpellier 45-29 to extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points.