Sireli Maqala (C) joined Bayonne in 2021

Paris (AFP) - Bayonne centre Sireli Maqala moved clear as the French Top 14’s leading try scorer on Saturday crossing in his side’s 27-21 win at Vannes.

Fiji’s Maqala claimed his ninth league try of the season, one more than Lyon scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud, as his Basque outfit moved up to fourth in the table.

The 24-year-old was joined on the scoresheet with tries from hooker Lucas Martin, Argentina back-rower Rodrigo Bruni as well as 12 points from the boot by fly-half Joris Segonds.

Vannes remain bottom of the standings after their ninth loss in 12 games of their maiden campaign in the top-flight.

Elsewhere, former England coach Stuart Lancaster remains under pressure as Racing 92 director of rugby after the Parisians lost 21-17 at Montpellier in their fourth defeat in five games across all competitions.

Former England No 8 Billy Vunipola claimed his first try for Montpellier, who jump above Lancaster’s side to eighth.

Toulon are up to third thanks to a 56-25 hammering of Pau as France winger Gabin Villiere claimed a double.

Last season’s losing finalists Bordeaux-Begles went above Toulouse to top spot holding off Castres for a 13-3 victory as ex-Ireland fly-half Joey Carbery kicked eight points in torrential rain.

“The score isn’t great but what’s important is that we’ve won at Castres,” Bordeaux-Begles centre Yoram Moefana told Canal+.

“The team was solid, and stayed together, we’re very happy,” he added.

On Sunday, record 23-time champions Toulouse face Lyon without their Olympic seven gold medallist Antoine Dupont as the scrum-half is rested following two weeks of Champions Cup action.