Bryan Habana scored Toulon's only try as they went down 21-10 to Toulouse at Ernest Wallon on Sunday.
Gaël Fickou and Yoann Huget scored a try in each half, as a dominant Toulouse raced into a 21-0 lead.
The returning Habana then scored a breakaway try to get Toulon back in it but they were comfortably second-best, paying the price for a lack of discipline (Bakkies Botha was yellow-carded in the first half for pulling down a maul).
Meanwhile, Julien Arias scored a controversial try to help Stade Français to a narrow 23-19 win in the Paris derby against Racing Métro. Arias went over with five minutes remaining in the first half with the try awarded after consultation with the TMO despite the winger coming very close to the touchline before scoring.
In other round nine matches, Bordeaux-Bègles racked up 50 points for the second week running as they humiliated Castres at Stade Chaban Delmas, a suspected broken leg for flyhalf François Trinh-Duc overshadowed Montpellier's 25-9 win over Oyonnax, Lyon maintained their 100% record at home with a 24-19 win over Bayonne, and Clermont saw off a stubborn La Rochelle to win 30-10.
Round 9 results:
Grenoble 26 Brive 25
Bordeaux-Bègles 59 Castres 7
Lyon 24 Bayonne 19
Clermont Auvergne 30 La Rochelle 10
Montpellier 25 Oyonnax 9
Stade Français 23 Racing Metro 19
Toulouse 21 Toulon 10
Photo: Pascal Pavini/AFP Photo
