Poor Racing survive scare against La Rochelle
Racing-Metro stumbled over the line to maintain their winning start to the season with a disjointed 20-19 Top 14 win over La Rochelle on Saturday.
The big-spending Parisians were a shadow of the side that won so impressively 27-22 at European champions Toulon last weekend and only a missed drop-goal after the final buzzer from La Rochelle's Jean-Pascal Barraque saved the capital outfit.
A week ago, La Rochelle were humiliated 44-6 at home to Clermont, who are top of the league after securing a try-bonus in each of their opening two matches, including Friday night's 25-6 win over Grenoble.
Record four-time European champions Toulouse have also started with two straight wins as they triumphed 20-9 at newly-promoted Agen earlier on Saturday.
Racing seemed in control early in the second half following tries from Chris Masoe and Benjamin Dambielle as they led 20-10, but indiscipline cost them as Australian fly-half Zack Holmes kicked three penalties to bring the visitors, for whom Gabriel Lacroix had earlier scored a try, to within one point.
With Racing hanging on, Barraque tried a drop goal but it went wide and the hosts could breathe a sigh of relief.
Earlier, Toulouse maintained their strong start despite trailing 9-7 early in the second half.
Two tries from former All Black hooker Corey Flynn helped rescue Toulouse, though, as did a pair of late penalties from compatriot Luke McAlister.
Oyonnax got off the mark in emphatic fashion with a 37-19 bonus-point win at home to Bordeaux-Begles.
South African hooker Jody Jenneker scored two tries while Irish centre Eamon Sheridan and replacement lock Mickael De Marco also scored.
Grenoble's only try came from former Australia sevens international wing Blair Connor.
Montpellier outscored their hosts by two tries to one but still went down 26-16 at newly-promoted Pau, for whom scrum-half Samuel Marques kicked seven penalties.
Saturday's late match sees champions Stade Francais travel to Brive while Toulon play Castres on Sunday.