Bonus points by the shovelful, 45 tries, attacks on fire and some handsome “hidings”. Round 3 of the Top 14 did not really leave any room for suspense, between the teams in need of points and those that had decided to rotate after two opening rounds that were already gruelling and full of lessons. So there was a show, plenty of show. Starting with the match between ASM and Pau, which opened the weekend. In their centenary season in the top flight and already under pressure on the table after two defeats in as many outings, the Auvergnats put 50 points on an overwhelmed Pau. A one-way contest in which Clermont reassured themselves and, above all, banked points. Pau, who had not particularly rotated, sank at the Michelin in the face of the snarl of Christophe Urios’s men, who absolutely had to get their points tally off the mark. Job done: ASM have launched their season.

Like true Héraults

MHR, who hosted joint-leaders Toulouse going into this third round, also had to take points after their two opening defeats. And it is fair to say that Lenny Nouchi’s team-mates assembled the ingredients to do so. Three tries in the opening quarter were enough to smother a lethargic Toulouse, who had nevertheless turned up at the Septeo Stadium (formerly the GGL) with a (very) competitive side. A surprising rout, given that Ugo Mola’s players have accustomed us to building through the gears as matches go by, having had “only” four weeks of pre-season. Simply overrun by the desire of an unleashed Montpellier, and in most areas of the game, the players even looked blunted. A long way from their standards, at the very least. “Without panache or the right mindset”, the Toulouse manager let slip. An off-day for the Red and Blacks, and surely a founding act for the Hérault side.

The CO left Bayonne KO

Same story for Castres Olympique. At the Stade Pierre-Fabre, CO delivered a complete performance, alternating power and pace. Castres quickly went ahead thanks to heavy dominance at the rucks and impeccable set-piece work. Bayonne, who rotated and brought their new faces in, were punished by a string of penalties. The Basques paid for their indiscipline and never managed to find any rhythm. With six tries, Castres take a clear win, attacking bonus point included. Bayonne, who had started the season well, hit the buffers after this off-day.

A biting LOU against Stade Français

It was probably the finest spectacle of the weekend and, above all, quite a scrap. In a match full of twists, Lyon and Paris went toe to toe in an attacking arm-wrestle. LOU scored twice in quick succession early on, but Stade Français replied through the sharpness of their three-quarters. The game was decided in the closing minutes, Lyon finding the resources to snatch the win and remain the only unbeaten side in a Top 14 that is as gripping as ever. Paris, despite a deserved defensive bonus point, may have regrets, so close were the comeback and the upset. Those two play-off contenders played to their level.

USAP spoiled it all

Which was not the case for USAP. The Catalans, driven on by Aimé-Giral, showed pride and stood up to Racing for a long time, notably through their scrum. But Racing knew how to impose their tempo and to take every opportunity through their stars out wide. With three well-constructed tries and a solid defence, Gaël Fickou’s team-mates confirm their good start to the season. An off-day for USAP, still without a win, who remain stuck at the bottom of the table despite a courageous display, but one tarnished by a “general brawl” and by supporters coming down onto the pitch. Incidents that are causing plenty of talk and for which Perpignan are likely to be sanctioned.

Another “sanction” was the one handed out to Montauban in Bordeaux. A genuine hiding inflicted by UBB on the newly promoted side. The Gironde men rolled out total rugby: speed, precision and efficiency with every attack. Montauban, courageous but overwhelmed in the intensity, were subjected to the law of a Bordeaux side that scored ten tries. A match that highlights the gap between a title contender and a promoted side still bedding in. UBB take the chance to look after their points difference and move back up towards the top of the table. Montauban rotated and got slapped.

Those score gaps illustrate what is at stake in the marathon that is the Top 14, where every round counts, where the smallest point matters. Because the league is gripping, quite simply the toughest in the world.

The weekend results:

Clermont – Pau : 50 – 27

Bordeaux – Montauban : 71 – 24

Castres – Bayonne : 48 – 17

Perpignan – Racing 92 : 15 – 28

Lyon – Stade Français : 42 – 37

Montpellier – Toulouse : 44 – 14

Toulon – La Rochelle : postponed to a later date

The table:

1 – Lyon (13 pts)

2 – Bordeaux-Bègles (9 points)

3 – Pau (9 points)

4 – Stade Toulousain (9 points)

5 – Toulon (8 points)

6 – Racing 92 (8 points)

7 – Bayonne (8 points)

8 – Castres (7 points)

9 – Montpellier (6 points)

10 – Stade Français (6 points)

11 – La Rochelle (5 points)

12 – Clermont (5 points)

13 – Perpignan (0 points)

14 – Montauban (0 points)