Springbok back stars for La Rochelle in French Top 14

La Rochelle's Springbok winger Dillyn Leyds scored as they beat Clermont 26-13 before next Sunday's Champions Cup last four tie with Exeter.

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Champions Cup holders La Rochelle welcome the English side to a sold-out Matmut Atlantique, which holds 42 000 people.

Leyds claimed a 78th-minute bonus point with his try as his club moved within a point of Toulouse in the Top 14. Toulouse suffered a 19-10 loss at Stade Francais on Saturday.

Leyds, 31, played 10 Tests for the Springboks between 2017 and 2019. The versatile back move to La Rochelle from the Stormers in 2020.

?? Passion Dillyn. #SRASM | #Top14 | #FievreSR

"It would be a lie to say that no-one is thinking about the semi-final, but today we needed points in the Top 14," La Rochelle fullback Brice Dulin told reporters.

"There were moments when they made things difficult for us so it's the perfect preparation for next week," he added.

Bayonne, in eighth, are still in the hunt for the playoffs as ex-France flyhalf Camille Lopez slotted his seventh drop goal of the season with four minutes left in the 33-30 victory over champions Montpellier.

Earlier in the day, French media reported Montpellier were set to pull out of a deal to sign Exeter's Luke Cowan-Dickie after the England hooker failed to turn up to a second of two days of medical examinations.

"I have no comment to make," Montpellier head coach Saint-Andre said. "There will be a statement from the club," he added.

#TOP14 - J23Décidemment ce n'était pas le samedi des équipes en déplacement... ?? Journée 100 % "locale" en attendant le choc entre l'@UBBrugby et @LeLOURugby ce dimanche ! ?????? pic.twitter.com/WpCWsu776o

Leaders Toulouse go