Australian star Matt Giteau led French and European champions Toulon to a scrappy, bad-tempered 21-18 win over Oyonnax to take pole position in the Top 14.

The five-eighth played the decisive role in his team’s two tries as Toulon avenged their shock 25-22 loss at Oyonnax last season on Friday.

Oyonnax will count themselves unfortunate not to have claimed another famous win after leading 18-14 with 10 minutes left before Giteau set up former Wallaby Drew Mitchell to score a converted try for Toulon.

The sides exchanged early penalty goals before Toulon winger David Smith burst through a huge gap and muscled past three defenders late in the first half.

He was held up but the ball was recycled to Giteau whose quick-thinking crossfield kick fell into the waiting arms of South African flanker Juan Smith to dot down on 35 minutes.

Toulon led 11-9 at halftime thanks to Smith’s try and two penalty goals to former Wallaby James O’Connor.

Oyonnax five-eighth Ben Urdapilleta steered his side to the lead with a penalty goal and a field goal to leave Toulon trailing 15-11 on 60 minutes.

The home side then appeared to give the champions the advantage when Samoan lock Maurie Fa’asavalu, a convert from rugby league, was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Giteau.

O’Connor popped over the resulting penalty but Oyonnax hit back to lead 18-14 with another Urdapilleta penalty.

Giteau then stepped up to play a crucial role in Toulon’s second try, running at pace into the Oyonnax defensive line, releasing Mitchell to burst through and score.

O’Connor added the extras and the champions clung on to take top spot ahead of Saturday’s matches.