Scrum-half Machenaud tallied 39 points across four games in the Heineken Champions Cup this season as 2020 finalists Racing reached the quarter-finals, ultimately exiting at the hands of Bordeaux-Begles.

Racing however kept their hopes of a TOP 14 title alive with a convincing first-half performance against Stade Francais in the quarter-finals of the play-offs.

Gaël Fickou, Teddy Thomas and Machenaud all crossed the whitewash inside 20 minutes as the hosts raced into a 21-point lead.

That advantage was improved before the half hour mark as Simon Zebo went over, with a fourth successful Machenaud conversion sending Racing into half-time 28-0 up.

Just three minutes into the second half Racing added a fifth try through Hassane Kolingar, with Machenaud converting.

Stade Francais got themselves on the scoreboard moments later as Sefa Naivalu crossed, before Machenaud kicked Racing’s final points of the evening with a penalty on 52 minutes.

With the hosts making several changes, Stade Francais gained a foothold in the game and scored two tries in five minutes through Sekou Macalou and Waisea Vuidarvuwalu with just over an hour played.

Joris Segonds converted all three scores to keep the score line respectable, but Racing’s victory was never in doubt as they advanced to the semi-finals.

In the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup, Munster Rugby scored eight tries in a 54-11 demolition of Zebre Rugby at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Gavin Coombes crossed four times while Craig Casey grabbed a brace, in addition to scores from Rory Scannell and Liam Coombes.

Four-time European champions Leinster Rugby also picked up a big win, overwhelming Welsh side Dragons in a 38-7 success at The RDS.

Jordan Larmour went over twice for the hosts, while Jimmy O'Brien, captain Garry Ringrose, Ryan Baird and Scott Penny also got on the scoresheet.

Maxime Machenaud racked up 18 points as Racing 92 overpowered Stade Francais Paris in a 38-21 victory in the TOP 14 play-offs at the La Defense Arena on Friday night.