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Clerc sets record on final club appearance

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Vincent Clerc signed off in perfect style as the former France international became the record try scorer in Top 14 history.

Vincent Clerc signed off in perfect style as the former France international became the record try scorer in Top 14 history.

Clerc, who won 67 caps for Les Bleus including 35 in the NatWest 6 Nations, dotted down in Toulon’s clash with Pau on Saturday.

The try was served up to Clerc – who announced this game would be his last during the week – by his teammate Hugo Bonneval.

It takes his career tally to 101 – passing Laurent Arbo’s record that had stood since 2006.

It was also a day that saw Aurelien Rougerie play his last game for Clermont in a high-scoring affair with Toulouse.

Meanwhile in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final qualifiers – Wales wing Steff Evans hit top form as the Scarlets downed the Cheetahs.

Evans – who made his NatWest 6 Nations debut during this year’s Championship – grabbed a double while Leigh Halfpenny and James Davies also went over in a 43-8 romp to set up a semi-final at Glasgow Warriors in a fortnight’s time.

Munster just about held off Edinburgh in the other qualifier as Keith Earls crossed for the all-important score – made by Simon Zebo – to hold off the Scots.

And in England, the Aviva Premiership regular season came to a close with a scoring blitz.

England stars Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell both dotted down tries for Saracens as they racked up over a half century against Gloucester to tune up for the semi-finals.

They will host Wasps after Danny Cipriani inspired them to victory over Newcastle.

The Falcons head to Sandy Park to face defending champions Exeter Chiefs after the Rob Baxter’s side comfortably dispatched Harlequins at the Stoop.

Mike Brown and Marcus Smith crossed for Quins but Dave Ewers and Joe Simmonds were the stand-outs in another fine Chiefs showing.

George Ford notched a personal haul of 20 points as Leicester secured Champions Cup rugby for next season by downing Sale while Bath did the same with a heavy win over London Irish.

Matt Banahan bagged a hat-trick and Wales No.8 Taulupe Faletau crossed for his first try of the season.

England centre Ben Te’o scored again for Worcester Warriors, but departing stars Ben Foden and Stephen Myler inspired Northampton to a comeback win.