Clermont boost Top 14 play-off bid with Stade Francais win

PARIS: Former Australia centre Irae Simone scored as Clermont hammered struggling Stade Francais 55-20 in the French Top 14 on Saturday to boost their play-off hopes.

Simone crossed for his third try of the season to move the two-time French champions into fifth place in the table with one round of the regular season to play.

The Parisians remain in 12th place, one point above Perpignan in the relegation play-off spot, before hosting Castres next weekend in their final game of the campaign.

Stade Francais led 17-6 at half-time thanks to a try from ex-England centre Joe Marchant and points from his compatriot Zack Henry.

Simone sparked Clermont´s comeback with his score after 46 minutes before six further tries as well as the points from the tee added by veteran Argentina fly-half Benjamin Urdapilleta. Urdapilleta´s contribtutions moved the 39-year-old to second in the Top 14´s all-time scorers list on 2,491 points.

Former Castres full-back Romain Teulet leads the standings on 2,612. Perpignan can go above 14-time champions Stade Francais later with a win at La Rochelle. Bottom-placed Vannes host Pau also aiming to improve their chances of safety.