Damian Penaud marked his return from injury with two tries to keep Clermont Auvergne in the hunt for a play-off place in the Top 14.
The France winger, who played a key role in Les Bleus’ Grand Slam success, started at inside centre away to Biarritz, crossing once in each half as Clermont won 26-8 to take five points and stay in contention for the top six.
Penaud had not featured since early April because of an ankle injury, but he showed no rust on his comeback.
Elsewhere in France, fly-half Matthieu Jalibert was the standout performer for Bordeaux-Bègles who powered to a 42-10 win over Lyon to clinch a place in the play-offs.
Jalibert, who missed the Guinness Six Nations through injury, is now back fit and looked to be at his best with two tries, one a stunning solo effort as Bordeaux ran away with it in the second half.
Meanwhile, in England, it was another fly-half who missed the Guinness Six Nations who pulled the strings for Saracens.
Owen Farrell was named in Eddie Jones’ England squad this week and he responded by kicking 17 points and being named Player of the Match in a 42-38 win over Northampton Saints.
Farrell also set up a try for Alex Goode, while Wales centre Nick Tompkins also shone for the home side as they clinched a home semi-final.
That followed an earlier comeback from Harlequins who scored 21 unanswered points to beat Gloucester at Twickenham.
Joe Marchant scored two tries and was the pick of the performers in the Twickenham sunshine, responding to his omission from the England squad earlier this week.
In the United Rugby Championship, it was Edinburgh who took the final European place at the expense of Glasgow Warriors, with Magnus Bradbury and Blair Kinghorn both crossing for a 28-11 success.
