Wing Teddy Thomas put more pressure on Stade Francais coach Heyneke Meyer as Racing 92 came out on top in the Paris derby.

Thomas treble settles Paris derby, Lyon thump La Rochelle


Teddy Thomas scored a hat-trick as Racing 92 beat struggling derby rivals Stade Francais 25-9, while Top 14 leaders Lyon thumped La Rochelle on Sunday.

Stade remain rooted to the bottom of the table after Thomas bagged a treble at Stade Jean-Bouin to move Racing up three places to 10th and pile more pressure on coach Heyneke Meyer.

Meyer was backed by Stade owner Hans-Peter Wild on the eve of the Paris derby, but a seventh defeat from nine top-flight matches will lead to more questions over his future.

Wing Thomas took a brilliant pass from Virimi Vakatawa before scoring the opening try and had a double late in the first half, though a second Nicolas Sanchez penalty reduced Racing's lead to 15-6 at the break.

Maxime Machenaud's second penalty gave Racing a nine-point advantage and France flyer Thomas crossed for a third time right at the end to secure the bonus point, much to the fury of Racing fans.

Lyon are five points clear at the summit after a 45-17 battering of La Rochelle.

Baptiste Couilloud dotted down in both halves, while Dylan Cretin, Charlie Ngatai and Loann Goujon also crossed in an emphatic victory for the leaders.