SONNY Bill Williams scored on his French premiership debut as Toulon opened its Top 14 rugby championship with a 22-16 win over Clermont.

The New Zealand international, who controversially walked out of the Bulldogs National Rugby League club last month, crossed for one of Toulon's three tries as the ambitious club — back in the top flight for the first time in two years — beat last season's Top 14 runners-up.

Former NSW Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie also made a memorable introduction to French rugby with Stade Francais taking the early lead on the ladder after its 31-9 defeat of Dax. AFP