
Neuville completed the rally's first loop of gravel stages with a slender 2.0s advantage ahead of overnight leader Rovanpera, who impressed despite starting first on the road.
Toyota's Sebastien Ogier, on his WRC return, reached the morning tyre fitting zone in third (+4.6s) ahead of M-Sport's Ott Tanak (+8.3), with title contender Elfyn Evans in fifth, 12.5s adrift.