Clermont, Toulon confirm semi-final places

PARIS (AFP) –

Clermont’s fly-half Mike Delany hits a penalty kick during their French Top 14 rugby union match against Toulouse on April 20, 2013 at the stadium Marcel Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, central France. Clermont defeated defending champions Toulouse 39-17 on Saturday to reach the French Top 14 semi-finals, a victory which also ensured a last-four place for Toulon.

Clermont defeated defending champions Toulouse 39-17 on Saturday to reach the French Top 14 semi-finals, a victory which also ensured a last-four place for Toulon.

Clermont also went top of the table, one point ahead of fellow European Cup semi-finalists Toulon who slumped to a shock 25-24 loss at Grenoble.

Toulouse will still feature in the end of season play-offs where they will be joined by Castres, Racing-Metro and Montpellier.

With respective leads of 12 and 11 points over Toulouse, the top two are guaranteed to feature in the semi-finals in Nantes on May 24 and 25.

Clermont’s win over Toulouse, however, came at a cost with skipper and experienced centre Aurelien Rougerie forced off the pitch after just 14 minutes with a left thigh strain.

That will put a question mark over his fitness for next Saturday’s European Cup semi-final against Munster in Montpellier

Grenoble’s fullback Joaquim Tuculet (R) passes the ball during their French Top 14 rugby union match against Toulon on April 20, 2013 at the Stade des Alpes, in Grenoble, southeastern France. Gremoble won 25-24.

Saturday’s win was Clermont’s 59th in a row at their Marcel-Michelin stadium home, equalling the record set by Stade Francais from 2004 to 2008.

Vern Cotter’s team had the game won in the first half-hour on Saturday when Wesley Fofana, Benson Stanley and Sitivenu Sivivatu all scored tries.

Centre Fofana grabbed his try after just 50 seconds.

Toulouse closed the gap in the second half with tries from Thierry Dusautoir and Louis Picamoles.

But a classy Clermont added another try to seal the win courtesy of a fine solo effort from former All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Toulon rested a host of top stars for their trip to Grenoble with next weekend’s European Cup semi-final clash at Saracens in their plans.

Agen’s scrum-half Sylvain Dupuy (C) is tackled by Perpignan’s fullback Sofiane Guitoune (R) during their French Top 14 rugby union on April 20, 2013 at the Armandie stadium Agen, southwestern France. Perpignan’s 23-15 loss at Agen allowed Castres, Racing-Metro and Montpellier to confirm their top six, play-off spots.

Jonny Wilkinson, the Top 14′s leading points scorer with 339, sat out the game with David Smith getting a start.

Smith scored a try to take his total to eight for the season, but Grenoble scored three second-half tries to claim victory.

Meanwhile, Perpignan’s 23-15 loss at Agen allowed Castres, Racing-Metro and Montpellier to confirm their top six, play-off spots.

Perpignan still have something to play for as they face Stade Francais in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals on Friday.

Bayonne, who beat Montpellier 32-26, boosted their squad for next season by signing former All Black fly-half Stephen Brett from Japanese side Toyota Verblitz.