Toulouse continue fine form with win over Stade

Editor

Toulouse regained their six-point buffer at the summit of the Top 14 table following a superb 28-9 triumph over Stade Francais in the French capital.

After Clermont Auvergne’s bonus-point victory on Saturday, the pressure was on for the leaders to respond and they did so brilliantly. Les Rouge et Noir have enjoyed an excellent season and they were ultimately too good for the Parisians, touching down twice in the first half via Gillian Galan and Lucas Tauzin.

Zack Holmes also kicked two penalties and a conversion, while Piula Fa’asalele and Matthis Lebel crossed the whitewash in the second period, meaning Nicolas Sanchez’s three-pointers were in vain for Stade.

It was another impressive display from Ugo Mola’s men, who were without some key players, as they controlled much of the encounter.

Although Sanchez opened the scoring early on, Toulouse were more effective with ball in hand. They also took advantage of some Stade ill-discipline and, after Alexandre Flanquart had been yellow carded, Galan barged across the whitewash for a 5-3 lead.

With Flanquart still off the field, the visitors extended their buffer through Lucas Tauzin, who benefited from good work by Pita Ahki.

Sanchez then reduced the arrears with successive three-pointers after Rynhardt Elstadt had been sin-binned but they couldn’t build on that in the second half.

Instead, Mola’s charges increased the intensity and opened up a nine-point gap when Holmes was twice successful off the tee.

That took the energy out of the hosts and Toulouse sealed an excellent result in the final 10 minutes as Fa’asalele and talented youngster Lebel both went over to garner the try bonus-point.

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In the day’s other game, Toulon effectively secured their Top 14 status after gaining a comfortable 24-11 triumph over bottom side Perpignan.

Patrice Collazo’s team have been poor in 2018/19 but they have picked up some key results over recent rounds and added to their collection on Sunday. Tries from Liam Messam, Josua Tuisova and Bruce Devaux proved to be enough to overcome struggling Perpignan.

The Catalans remain rooted to the foot of the table and it appears as though it is just a matter of time before their relegation back to Pro D2 is confirmed.