Cruden’s French club in command

Aaron Cruden and his Montpellier side continue to dominate France’s Top 14 rugby competition.

The Vern Cotter-coached Montpellier outfit consolidated their lead at the head of the Top 14 standings with a commanding 40-24 victory over La Rochelle at their home Altrad Stadium on Monday (NZT).

Cruden didn’t get on the score sheet, with South African Ruan Pienaar taking the shots at goal, but ran the show from No 10 as Montpellier ran in five tries to three, including a pair to Australian Jesse Mogg and one to former Crusaders star Nemani Nadolo.

It was Montpellier’s 16th victory of the season and puts them six points clear of nearest challengers Racing 92 of Paris.

Cruden’s former All Blacks team-mate Tawera Kerr-Barlow crossed for a try for La Rochelle who sit sixth on the Top 14 standings.

Racing prevailed 17-13 in a hard-fought affair over Ma’a Nonu’s Toulon side at their home U Arena.

The Paris outfit, who relegated Dan Carter to the reserves bench this week, extended their advantage over third-placed Toulouse to four points with their two tries to one victory over Toulon.

Fijian-born speedster Virimi Vakatawa crossed for a brace for Racing, while former All Black Malakai Fekitoa scored Toulon’s only five-pointer with an impressive individual effort that locked the halftime scores at 10-10.

Vakatawa’s second try, early in the second spell, proved enough to get Racing home.

Toulon, fourth in the Top 14 standings, have now dropped back-to-back matches after their disappointing Champions Cup quarterfinal defeat to Munster last weekend.

In the English Premiership on Sunday defending champions Exeter Chiefs extended their winning streak to six and their lead at the top of the table to eight points with a 46-10 home victory over John Afoa’s Gloucester.

The victory clinched a playoff spot for the Chiefs who need just two points from their last three matches to ensure they will host a semifinal.