Clermont gave a timely reminder of their quality with a 65-13 shellacking of Pau in a truncated weekend of French Top 14 play.
Former Counties Manukau No 8 Fritz Lee scored a try and Stephen Brett kicked a conversion, while Benson Stanley was at No 12 for the second-placed club.
Tom Taylor kicked three goals for Pau, while the old Highlanders' front-row of Jamie Mackintosh and Chris King were reunited. Daniel Ramsay was at lock.
La Rochelle extended their lead with a 36-17 victory over Brive. Lock Jason Eaton scored a try in a pack that included Hikairo Forbes and Victor Vito. Former Waikato and Fiji lock Dominiko Waqaniburotu came off the bench for Brive.
Cellar dwellers Bayonne upset Bordeaux-Begles 24-20. Kiwis involved for Bayonne were Kade Poki, Manu Leiataua, Tanerau Latimer and Pelu Taele. Simon Hickey kicked three goals for the opposition, while former Waikato hooker Ole Avei scored a try. Luke Braid, off the bench, Hugh Chalmers and Jayden Spence also played.