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Stade Francais returned to the top of the French championship with an impressive 26-11 victory at Perpignan.

The Parisians out-scored the Catalans by two tries to one, with Dave Vainqueur and Julien Arias (pictured) touching down either side of half-time, while France international Lionel Beauxis converted both scores and added three penalties.

Argentina's Juan-Martin Hernandez, back again after an injury, was also on target with a first-half drop goal as Stade inflicted a first defeat of the season on the home side.

Perpignan, who trailed 16-9 at the break, scored a try through Christophe Manas in the 73rd minute to go with an early penalty from Steve Meyer and a Nicolas Laharrague penalty just after the interval.

The victory sees Stade take over at the top from Bayonne, who continued their 100 per cent start to the season with a 17-6 home victory on Friday over last year's beaten finalists Clermont Auvergne.

Three penalties from Many Edmonds and a drop from Craig Gower helped the home side to a 12-6 lead going into the closing stages with Brock James having fired over two penalties for Clermont.

The match was then wrapped up just before the end when full-back Jean-Baptiste Peyras went over for the game's only try.

Montauban made it two wins from three as Fabien Fortassin scored all their points in an 18-14 victory over Bourgoin.

Fortassin was on target with four penalties and a drop goal, while Y ann Labrit scored the game's only try for Bourgoin.

Dax were unable to notch their first win of the season as they fell 9-6 at home to Montpellier, while Brive and Castres played out a 16-16 draw leaving both sides winless this season.

Stade Montois caused a mini-upset when they beat big spending Toulon 25-18 in a battle of two promoted sides.

Benat Arrayet was the star of the show for the hosts as he scored 20 points with a boot including a late drop goal to clinch the win.

Toulouse host Biarritz in Sunday's game.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport