Racing 92 swept aside Montpellier 26-0 to give the French Top 14 leaders' title aspirations a major reality check on Sunday.

Racing's win over Vern Cotter's high flying side was the perfect way for the Paris club to say goodbye to their historic Yves du Manoir stadium -- site of the 1924 Paris Olympics.

The wraps came off their new home at the U Arena on Saturday when Japan held France to a 23-23 draw in a one-off international.

Racing, with this bonus point win, moved fourth, four points shy of Montpellier, who remained at the summit after Lyon missed their chance to go top when suffering a 17-9 loss to Toulouse in Sunday's late kick-off.

La Rochelle, who beat Pau 44-4 on Saturday, sit second, two points adrift, with Lyon the same margin away in third.

The 2016 champions Racing's backs coach Laurent Labit commented: "Notching up a zero on defence is no small achievement as it's something rare in rugby nowadays.

"It shows the dynamism we have here at the moment.

"We've never produced such intensity or controlled a match as we did today from the first to the 80th minute."

Montpellier's defence was breached for the first time when Albert VuliVuli touched down on 30 minutes.

Brice Dulin bagged the second try in the corner on 46 minutes, the fruit of an intense forward drive, with Juan Imhoff getting the third after a fine 70 metre solo run following an interception deep in the hosts' territory.

Racing's South African international Pat Lambie added 11 points with his boot.

Montpellier boss Cotter expressed his disappointment with his team's performance. "It ended 26-0, the score is logical".

Racing, following up their come-from-behind 40-29 victory over Toulon, took on Montpellier in the wake of the news that their teammate, All Black legend Dan Carter, was leaving in June to pursue his career for Japan.

Two-time World Cup winner Carter was missing Sunday but Labit suggested they could count on the 35-year-old New Zealander "to make the most of the seven months he has left" at Racing.

Carter announced on Saturday that he had signed a two-year contract with Japanese club Kobelco Steelers.

Now 35, the three-time winner of rugby's world player of the year joined Racing in 2015, winning the Top 14 title in his first season.

Source:AFP