PARIS, 31 August 2004 — Stade Francais were the main losers after Sunday’s third round of matches in the French championship, the reigning champions dropping down to mid-table after a 49-25 defeat at Montpellier.
The defeat was made even harder to bear after Argentine back Ignacio Corletto suffered what appeared to be a severe ankle injury.
In contrast Biarritz made it three wins out of three with a stylish 34-10 victory against strugglers Pau - their six tries earning them a bonus point to put them on 14 points.
Perpignan, Bourgoin and Agen, who all emerged with wins, are tied for second four points behind with a one point gap back to Montpellier.
The only teams still unbeaten aside from Biarritz are Agen and Castres, who drew 28-28 with Grenoble.
For Stade Francais this was their first defeat since the arrival of retired France captain Fabien Galthie.
Stade Toulouse’ stuttering start to the season continued when they went down 28-22 at Pau to leave them hovering above the relegation zone.
The table is propped up by Clermont who suffered their third straight defeat, this time going down 27-18 to Bayonne to leave them with the dubious distinction as the only side yet to register a point.
