La Rochelle hammer Bayonne in Top 14

La Rochelle ran out clear winners over Bayonne in Top 14 action on Friday, picking up a bonus point in a 36-19 mauling of the Basque side.

Three first-half tries from France centre Geoffrey Doumayrou, his Fijian midfield partner centre Levani Botia and South African winger Dillyn Leyds saw La Rochelle hold a comfortable 29-16 half-time lead.

France fly-half Jules Plisson hit four first-half penalties and converted two tries for La Rochelle, as Bayonne responded in an ill-disciplined first 40 with three Gaetan Germain penalties and a conversion of a try through winger Aymeric Luc.

Gaetan added a fourth penalty early in the second-half, but a try by La Rochelle's France flanker  -- and skipper for the night -- Gregory Alldritt in the 50th minute sealed the win, with the visitors dominant across the park.

It was a first away victory for Jono Gibbes' La Rochelle in 10 months as the Top 14 relaunches after a coronavirus-hit season.

"We were coming out of four weeks without a match," said La Rochelle forwards coach Gregory Patat. 

"We had to get back on track. We wanted to recalibrate and we really did a great performance tonight, both in attack and defence... they ended up giving in."

Racing 92, the European Champions Cup finalists, take on Toulouse in Saturday's stand-out game.

Elsewhere, Agen host Stade Francais and Montpellier make the tricky trip to Toulon.

Bordeaux-Begles v Clermont and Castres v Brive have both been postponed after Covid-19 cases.