Jake White at Montpellier

Former Springbok coach Jake White’s second week in the Top 14 was the polar opposite to his winning debut.

A week after beating defending French and Europeans champions Toulon on home soil, White’s star-studded Montpellier team were brought back down to earth with a bump as they lost to 20 / 13 to minnows Oyonnax, who only avoided relegation last season on point difference.

Just a few days into his stint in France, White was forced to issue an official apology after saying he was happy to play against heavyweights Toulon because “playing in Montauban, in a field in front of five people and a dog… does not interest me.”

Following Saturday’s result, Oyonnax winger Silvère Tian – who scored two tries in the win at the Stade Charles Mathon – didn’t mince his words when celebrating, suggesting that White will be a little humbler with his comments in the future.

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“They have a manager in Jake White, who was being a ‘smartarse’ and doesn’t know too much about French rugby. Already he’s criticised Montauban, but he doesn’t know what it is,” Tian told Rugbyrama.

“He thinks Oyonnax is a ProD2 team, so it was a pleasure to show him that the ‘ProD2 team’ really handed out a beating to his team of stars.

“We showed him that he must be humble. I think that will serve as a lesson.

“Winning against Toulon doesn’t mean they are the best, if you’re a world champion it doesn’t matter once you’re on the field!”

The other big result in the weekend’s Top 14 action came in Toulon, where the reigning champions’ mixed form continued in a curious contest with Racing Métro, letting a major lead slip before winning 32 / 23.

Moving scenes before kickoff saw the crowd and players honour those killed in the Paris attacks earlier this week, with all the players, coaches and officials announced with the first name ‘Charlie’. Both teams also mixed with each other to link arms for a minute’s silence.

Springbok wing Bryan Habana’s simple finish in the corner to made it 22 / 3 to Toulon before Racing launched a comeback although great solo try from Matt Giteau secured the win for the home side.

Over in England, Francois Louw’s Bath were in impressive form as they swept Wasps aside to win 39-26 and move up to second in the Aviva Premiership standings, just one point behind Northampton, who were beaten 20 / 7 by Sale Sharks.

Bath climbed above Saracens, who lost in dramatic fashion on Friday as Welsh international James Hook’s last-gasp kick from the halfway line handed Gloucester a 24 / 23 win a gripping game that could have gone either way.