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Toulouse made light of a depleted squad to edge Montauban 17-12 in the French Top 14, moving them to within six points of league leaders Castres.

The three-times European champions were missing eleven international players, including eight Frenchmen, and had six players absent through injury.

They took a third-minute lead through a Frederic Michalak (pictured) penalty but were 7-6 down at the interval after Montauban fly-half Leonard Olivier went over for a converted try.

The visitors began the second period with just 13 men after Emmanuel Etien and Matthew Clarkin were shown yellow cards but they contrived to extend their lead in the first minute of the half when full-back Julien Laharrague went over.

Toulouse, though, responded immediately via a Remy Lamerat score and sewed up victory through penalties from Michalak and Nicolas Bezy, whose kick sailed over from fully 50 metres.

In Saturday's other match, Brive won 25-3 at Montpellier and Clermont thumped Bourgoin 32-8. Second-placed Perpignan's match at struggling Bayonne was postponed after three players at the Catalan club contracted swine flu.

In Friday's matches, Castres cemented their grip on the summit with a thumping 34-6 win over Biarritz while Toulon won 22-18 at Stade Francais.

Toulon were aided by a 17-point haul from Jonny Wilkinson, while Racing Metro were indebted to Andrew Mehrtens for kicking all of their points in a 9-6 victory against bottom club Albi.

"The score is a boon. We knew it would be tough and we're very happy to have picked up ten points from two title pretenders," said Castres winger Yoan Audrin, referring to the bonus win over Toulouse in their previous match.

"But we have to keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard."

Biarritz were hampered by the injury absence of third rower Imanol Harinordoquy and the loss to the France squad for their weekend Test against New Zealand of Damien Traille and Fabien Barcella.

And tries from Nicolas, Audrin and Diarra, aided by four Teulet penalties, put Castres firmly on their way in the face of two Yachvili kicks for the visitors.

"The score is a boon. We knew it would be tough and we're very happy to have picked up ten points from two title pretenders," said Castres winger Yoan Audrin, referring to the bonus win over Toulouse which preceded it.

"But we have to keep our feet on the groud and keep working hard," Audrin told Canal + television.

AFP