Top 14: DNACG block 14 Bourgoin player licences as big three all win on opening day

Rudi Coetzee's fourth-minute try set them on their way, with fly-half Benjamin Boyet adding the conversion and two penalties as they kept pace with Vern Cotter's team. A 13-16 half-time deficit was full reward for the passionate display, although Napolioni Nalaga's seventh-minute try gave forewarning of what was to come.

Bourgoin then took full advantage of a one-man advantage immediately after the break, following Thibault Privat's yellow card for punching, with the forwards earning a 51st-minute penalty try and Boyet adding another five points with his boot.

Suddenly an almighty upset seemed on the cards, but just when a most unlikely win beckoned ‘Les Jaunards’ found their form to run in three tries in nine minutes, with the old double act of Nalaga and Brock James leading the way.

The Fijian winger – top try-scorer for the past two seasons – added a second to his first-half effort, while James – top overall points-scorer for the past three seasons – chipped in with four conversions, two penalties and a drop-goal.

The win ultimately gave Cotter plenty to smile about on the day Clermont also confirmed the signing of former Dax and Fiji centre Gavin Williams (26) after finally giving up on Springbok Jaque Fourie.

Defending champions Perpignan – who beat Clermont in last year’s final – opened up with a 28-20 home win against Bayonne, with rookie full-back Armand Battle scoring a debut try. Scrum-half David Mélé added 14 points with his boot and a late penalty from replacement fly-half Nicolas Laharrague ensured the Catalans denied Bayonne a losing bonus point.

The Basques had kept in touch through tries from South African Sam Gerber and former All Blacks lock Ross Filipo (on debut), but will be ruing the four missed kicks from Cédric Garcia.

Bayonne coach Richard Dourthe was seething afterwards, lamenting both the concession of three unnecessary penalties and Garcia's profligacy. "I'm angry," he admitted. "The score should have been in our favour. It was too many stupid mistakes, even unacceptable."

Brive were the only other team to register a home win on the opening day, beating Montpellier 30-9 with England World Cup winning hooker Steve Thompson grabbing a rare try.

The veteran England hooker supported a 50m breakaway by Fabrice Estebanez to touch down in the 11th minute, setting the hosts on their way to a convincing victory. Flanker Vincent Fourges grabbed their second try shortly after half time and their third eventually coming in the dying minutes as they pushed hard for the bonus point.

New English signings Shaun Perry (scrum-half) and Jamie Noon (outside centre) both started for Brive - with the former enjoying a fine game on debut - but injuries prevented both Andy Goode and new skipper Alex Popham taking the field.

That won't dent the Brivistes joy though, as they sit handsomely at the head of Top 14 as the only team to have registered a winning bonus point on the opening weekend.

Iain Balshaw’s new club Biarritz surprisingly slumped to a 24-12 home defeat against Castres to make it a black day for the Basque country all round.

New signing Marc Andreu was the Castres hero as the former Toulon winger marked his debut with a try-double in the first game in charge for new coaching duo Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers. Fly-half Cameron McIntyre was also on form, landing four first-half penalties as Castres began with a superb away win.

Elsewhere, 17-times champions Stade Toulousain left it late for their last-ditch 17-16 win at Montauban. Guy Noves’ depleted team were trailing 16-10 when the hooter sounded, but Argentine lock Patricio Albacete then powered over to leave Jean-Baptiste Elissalde to win the match with touchline conversion with the final action of the match.