Top 14 favourites looking for redemption

Two weeks ago few would have thought that Top 14 giants Racing 92 and Toulon, favourites to win the Bouclier de Brennus this year, would slump to opening weekend defeats. Defending champions Racing failed to score a try in their 15-9 defeat by Raphael Ibanez's Bordeaux-Begles, whereas Diego Dominguez saw his first game in charge of Toulon end in a 28-23 defeat against promoted Bayonne. Stade Francais and Toulouse both managed victories in their opening matches along with Castres, whilst Clermont had to make for with a draw against La Rochelle. Racing faced a rude awakening last week against Bordeaux-Begles, looking out of shape and struggling with the high tempo of the match. "We're disappointed by the result because we wanted to win. Like we told the players at the end of the game, the holidays are over and the new season has started," said Racing coach Laurent Labit. "We were inconsistent, gave away too many penalties and suffered when we had posession." The six-time French champions will now face promoted side Lyon at home for the first time. Pierre Mignoni's men managed a draw against Brive in their opening match. - Toulon look for first victory - Toulon were left shocked by an impressive Bayonne, who were making their return to the Top 14, as they suffered an opening day loss on a weekend when no team won away from home. Mourad Boudjellal's side were guilty of poor discipline, conceded two tries and had ex-Springbok flanker Juan Smith sent to the bin for a dangerous tackle that prompted new coach Dominguez to say he was "annoyed". "We did not deserve to win," Dominguez said. "The players made too many mistakes, there were too many lost balls. I'm annoyed because that was a game we could have won by being smart." Last year's runners-up now travel to Pau who suffered a 28-11 defeat by Castres. With the front-runners for the title slumping to opening day losses, Stade Francais and Toulouse grasped the opportunity to put soem early pressure on their rivals. Gonzalo Quesada's Parisians stormed to the biggest victory of the opening day with a 54-20 win over rivals Grenoble. Ugo Mola's men defeated Montpellier 20-12 in a southern France derby. Toulouse, who are looking for a first Top 14 title since 2012, will now play against Bordeaux whom they didn't manage to beat last season, while Sergio Parisse-led Stade travel to Brive. Matchday 2 fixtures (all times GMT) Saturday, August 27 Pau v Toulon (1345), Grenoble v La Rochelle, Racing 92 v Lyon, Bayonne v Castres, Brive v Paris (all 1730), Toulouse v Bordeaux-Begles (1945 GMT) Sunday, August 28 Montpellier v Clermont (1515 GMT)