Burton Francis contributed 25 points to guide Agen to a 30-18 win over the more fancied Racing in the Top 14.

The journeyman – who has represented the Vodacom Blue Bulls, Lions, Stormers and Cheetahs – scored a try and kicked a conversion, five penalties and a drop goal as Agen stunned Racing in an ill-disciplined match. Both teams received two yellow cards in the second half, but Racing were further disadvantaged when replacement hooker Virgile Lacombe was red-carded for striking an opponent.

It was Agen’s first win since their return to top-flight rugby and Racing’s first defeat this season.

Elsewhere, Toby Flood was the man of the moment in Toulouse’s 37-20 defeat of Castres. Flood kicked five penalties and crossed for one of their three tries at the Stade Ernest-Wallon as Toulouse remained one of only two unbeaten teams in the competition.

Clermont picked up a third straight bonus-point win with a thumping 41-24 victory over Oyonnax. Three converted tries in the first half and a penalty pushed the log leaders out to a 24-14 lead at the break. Both sides went over for two more scores in the second stanza, but Oyonnax couldn’t overturn the deficit.

Fullback Gio Aplon scored one of five tries as Grenoble cruised to a crushing 41-15 win against Pau. The winners led 17-3 at half-time, but secured their advantage with four scores in the second period. Pau also grabbed two late tries in the second half to get to double figures.

La Rochelle laboured to a 21-18 home win over Brive. Zack Holmes succeeded with three penalties and a conversion before breaching Brive’s defence for a try of his own. Brive's points came from six penalties.

Bordeaux host Montpellier on Sunday afternoon, while Toulon is away to Stade Français in Paris.

Round 3 results:

Agen 30 Racing 18
Toulouse 37 Castres 20
Clermont 41 Oyonnax 24
Grenoble 41 Pau 15
La Rochelle 21 Brive 18

Photo: Mehdi Fedouach/Getty Images