Springbok Leyds kicks La Rochelle to Top 14 summit as Gelant debuts

South Africa fullback Dillyn Leyds scored nine points from the tee as La Rochelle beat Racing92 24-19 to take over as leaders of the French Top 14 on Saturday.

Leyds, 30, kicked three conversions and a penalty as the European Champions Cup holders moved above Toulouse, who head to Top 14 champions Montpellier on Sunday, after five rounds of the season.

Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell slotted a late penalty to secure a defensive bonus point for the Parisians, who led until the final 12 minutes.

"We were snoring at half-time," La Rochelle prop Thierry Paiva told reporters.

"It's normal, when you're asleep, you need to wake, and it worked."

Greasy conditions welcomed a Stade Marcel-Deflandre that was sold-out for a record-extending 70th straight league game after a day of heavy rain on the Atlantic coast.

South Africa full-back Warrick Gelant made his Racing debut after arriving in Paris just eight days ago following his move from the Stormers.

The visitors led 16-7 at the break as ex-New Zealand centre Francis Saili made the most of Teddy Thomas' knock-on on his own goal-line following a Henry Chavancy kick to claim his maiden Racing try.

Russell had kicked three penalties for the Parisians before Samoa playmaker UJ Seuteni snuck over for the home side earlier in the half.

France's Thomas almost made up for his earlier mistake by sliding over in the corner but fumbled the ball inches from the line with half an hour to play.

The former Racing winger then redeemed himself with 10 minutes left by burrowing to scoring on the right flank.

Gelant's fellow Springbok fullback Leyds, who also moved to France from the Stormers but in 2020, then converted to make it 17-16 and La Rochelle led for the first time.

Seuteni then turned the provider