Top 14 2026-2027: Stade Français wins with difficulty against Perpignan, Lyon dominates Clermont
Quick Look
- The Top 14 2026-2027 began this Saturday evening with five matches.
- Stade Français beat Perpignan 28-26 after leading, Lyon beat Clermont 40-36, Pau won its trip to Montpellier 19-27, Toulon lost to Bayonne 27-26 and Vannes lost to Castres 29-20 for its return to the elite.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Top 14 is the French professional rugby union championship. The 2026-2027 season begins this Saturday evening with five matches on the program.
A recovery on the hats of wheels. Five matches were on the program, this Saturday evening, to launch the 2026-2027 Top 14 season. And Stade Français did not miss its return to school but suffered a few scares against Perpignan (28-26), while it had the match in hand. Lyon, looking for redemption after several disappointing seasons, attacked hard before also relaxing, against Christophe Urios' Clermont (40-36). Too late awakening of the ASM which snatches the defensive bonus at the last minute.
In the shock of this first multiplex, the Section Paloise won on the lawn of Montpellier (19-27), reigning French vice-champion. The only away victory at the start of the evening. Another ambitious team, RC Toulon, narrowly fell on the Bayonne pitch (27-26). Complicated evening for promoted Vannes who, despite a reaction at the end of the match, fell to Castres (29-20) for his return to the elite, two years after his first rise.
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Results of the first day:
Bayonne - Toulon 27-26
Castres - Vannes 29-20
Lyon - Clermont 40-36
Montpellier - Pau 19-27
Stade Français - Perpignan 28-26
(9:15 p.m.)
Bordeaux-Bègles - Racing 92
Open Questions
- How will the teams evolve throughout the season after this first match?
- What will be the consequences of these results on the race to the final stages?
- How will Vannes adapt to the elite after his return two years after his first rise?
