Clerc closes in on try record as Toulouse rout Stade

Veteran winger Vincent Clerc closed in on the French try-scoring record on Sunday as Toulouse routed old rivals Stade Francais 36-3 to stay on course for the Top 14 play-offs. Clerc, 34, scored twice to take his club career try total to 97, just three behind the all-time record of 100 held by Laurent Arbo. In all, Toulouse ran in five tries for a bonus-point win which allowed them to open up an eight-point gap on seventh-placed Castres and well-placed for the end of season play-offs.