Rugby: Eaton, Graham in French upset

Jason Eaton in action for La Rochelle. Photo / Getty Images

Romana Graham and Jason Eaton may still be celebrating one of the upsets of the French Top 14 season after their La Rochelle side toppled high-flying Clermont 16-12 on the weekend.

Former Chief Graham suited up at lock, while former All Black Eaton, at blindside flanker, copped a yellow card, but still clinched the win to further cloud the congested Top 14 table.

Oyonnax, with Roimata Hansell-Pune, Viliami Ma'afu and Soane Tonga'uiha on their books, beat another of the Top 14 leaders Stade Francais, 15-13, in Paris. Former All Black Aled de Malmanche and Zak Taulafo came off the bench for Stade.

Toulouse, with two former All Blacks - Neemia Tialata and Corey Flynn - in their 23, edged Castres 13-9 in a south-west derby. Sitiveni Sivivatu was on the wing for Castres, his new club.

Toulon had David Smith, Rudi Wulf and Chris Masoe in their squad as they beat Bayonne 24-17 to confirm their top of the log status after 17 rounds.

Midfielders Rene Ranger and Anthony Tuitavake, along with Tom Donnelly, helped Montpellier to a 34-24 win over Bordeaux-Begles. Former Waikato and Fiji lock Dominiko Waqaniburotu was in the engine room as Brive blanked Grenoble 23-0, making for a tough day for former Counties Manukau and Brumbies prop Jono Owen, Waikato No 8 Rory Grice and the midfield of Jackson Willison and Nigel Hunt.

The Top 14 goes on hold for two weeks while the Six Nations rumbles into action. A full round of Anglo-Welsh Cup rugby took place, though, with coaches resting and rotating players ahead of the international window.

Former Highlanders wing Fetu'u Vainikolo scored a try for Exeter Chiefs in their 37-32 thriller over Nick Crosswell's Dragons. Nick Evans' 11 points could not prevent his Harlequins falling 23-21 to Bath, while former Auckland lock Jack Whetton came off the bench as his Leicester Tigers beat Northampton 17-8.

Frazier Climo, formerly of Taranaki, played centre as the Scarlets defeated London Irish 27-18. Newcastle Falcons featured three players of New Zealand origin in their 39-19 win over Sale Sharks. Former Manu Samoa, Blues and Auckland midfielder Jamie Helleur wore No 13 for Newcastle, while Ruki Tipuna was at halfback and Richard Mayhew at blindside flanker. Sale No 8 Viliami Fihaki scored a try, while former Highlanders and Otago loosie TJ Ioane was on the side of the scrum.

Another round of Anglo-Welsh Cup play is on this weekend.