Toulouse hold off Clermont

Toulouse try-scorer: Luke Burgess

Toulouse beat Clermont 30-22 at the Stadium de Toulouse in Saturday's Top 14 hit-out.

The win takes the defending champions top of the tournament standings - albeit temporarily pending the outcome of Toulon's clash with Grenoble.

Toulouse outscored their visitors three tries to one, with pivot Luke McAlister contributing 15 points from the tee.

Replacement Kiwi centre Benson Stanley scored Clermont's only try with French international scrum-half Morgan Parra adding a conversion and five penalties.

Stanley's 68th-minute try allowed Clermont to take a defensive bonus point away from the match.

Toulouse's next assignment will be back-to-back clashes with Welsh side Ospreys in the Heineken Cup which resumes next week, but they will still be without experienced back Clement Poitrenaud.

He missed Saturday's match and will be out of contention for three weeks after suffering a muscle tear.

The scorers:

For Toulouse:
Tries: David, Burgess, Huget
Cons: McAlister 3
Pens: McAlister 3

For Clermont:
Try: Stanley
Con: Parra
Pens: Parra 5