La Rochelle survived a late scare to edge Lyon 23-21 and take pole position in the Top 14 on Saturday with champions Montpellier bouncing back from their opening round defeat to beat Bordeaux-Begles.
Morgan Parra made his debut for new club Stade Français with a 24-18 win over former club Clermont in the opening weekend of Top 14 rugby action on Saturday.
La Rochelle might have qualified for their second successive European Champions Cup final, but a week before that continental showpiece comes a crucial Top 14 match.