Paris--Top 14 leading pair Toulon and Clermont suffered shock defeats on Saturday just a week before they collide in the European Champions Cup final.
Defending French and Europan champions Toulon went down 32-29 at Rochelle.
But they remain in top position after Clermont were crushed 31-10 by relegation-haunted Castres who boosted their hopes of staying in the top flight next season.
Australian centre Mali Hingano's try in the last move of the match gave La Rochelle a thrilling win over Toulon.
The 23-year-old -- one of four try scorers for the hosts -- produced a delightful pivot to go over and touch down and the significance of the score was reflected in the celebrations with head coach Patrice Collazo bursting into tears.
Former Springbok international Peter Grant added the extras leaving the losers, who showed 14 changes from the starting line-up that beat Leinster in last week's European Champions Cup semi-finals, at least the consolation of a bonus defensive point.
"It is a little bit magical, it is for these moments that we play this game. It is certainly a good omen and great for the confidence but we still have work to do with trips away to Lyon and Bayonne," said La Rochelle's France international flanker Loann Goujon.
It was tough on Toulon fly-half Frederic Michalak, who shrugged off the outburst over being replaced early in the second half of the Leinster game with 19 points and gave himself a chance of playing in next weekend's Twickenham final against Clermont.
La Rochelle went ahead with a splendid fourth-minute try by right wing Alofa Alofa who chipped over the Toulon defence and ran on to touch down -- converted by Fabien Fortassin for 7-3.
AFP
