Pau centre Tumua Manu touces down for Pau against Toulouse in the Top 14

Paris (France) (AFP) - Argentinian No.8 Facundo Isa touched down twice as Pau moved up to third in the Top 14 with a 34-14 win over leaders Toulouse at the Stade Hameau on Sunday while Montpellier thrashed Castres 69-10.

Pau and Toulouse were missing five players each to France’s Nations Championship squad, whose campaign starts next week against Fiji, which meant the match was lacking a touch of star quality.

But it was a massive performance from the home side who moved on to 26 points, two behind Toulouse who remain in front, and one off Bordeaux-Begles who beat Bayonne on Saturday.

Pau had the perfect start when Isa powered through from close range after just six minutes. A second try followed from Samoan centre Tumua Manu.

Joe Simmonds converted both and added a penalty to open up a 17-0 lead.

Toulouse hit back just before the break with a try for hooker Thomas Lacombre and closed the gap to three points when 19-year-old centre Lukas Amati, playing just his second game in the Top 14, went over for his first try at this level.

Isa’s second try, spinning off the back of a five-metre line-out just before the hour and again converted by Simmonds, pulled Pau away again and another penalty from the former Exeter fly-half, stretched the lead further.

Beka Gorgadze’s converted try a minute from time sealed the win.

Montpellier reinforced their title credentials with a demolition of Castres which moves them up to fourth in the table, three points behind Pau.

Montpellier ran in 10 tries with hooker Christopher Tolufua and lock Mael Perrin both notching doubles while Scottish fly-half Adam Hastings was on target with eight conversions and a penalty.

There were also wins on Saturday for Lyon, Stade Francais, Clermont and Toulon.