Former England wing Ashton made history by scoring his 22nd try of an outstanding first campaign in France early on at Stade Mayol, racing away to dive over after taking a pass from Ma'a Nonu.

The ex-Saracens flyer bettered Napolioni Nalaga's long-standing tally and set his side on the way to a triumph which leaves it eight points behind table-topper Montpellier.

Semi Radradra, Mathieu Bastareaud and Facundo Isa also went over in the first half, with a converted Vincent Martin try all Montpellier could come up with as they went into the break trailing 29-7.

Gabriel Ngandebe and Kelian Galletier touched down after the interval for Vern Cotter's men, but the damage had already been done.

Oyannax leapfrogged Brive in the table with a 40-17 victory at Stade Charles Mathon.

Ben Botica scored 20 points, including Oyannax's only try of the first half, and Valentin Ursache claimed a second-half double as the home side enhanced its chances of avoiding the drop.

Oyannax is only four points adrift of Stade Francais, which suffered a 44-3 battering at Lyon, while Agen eased its relegation fears with a 33-22 win at Pau, Filipo Nakosi scoring a hat-trick, and Clermont Auvergne thrashed Bordeaux Begles 33-3.