Toulouse saved by its Blues against the LOU
The return of the recent Grand Slam winners with the XV of France to the VI Nations Tournament was good for Toulouse, who snatched victory against Lyon this Sunday, at the end of the 21st day of Top 14.
With nine of its ten Grand Slam-winning French internationals on the scoresheet, Stade Toulousain won at home against Lyon (27-19) on Sunday, closing the 21st day of the Top 14.
Mathis Lebel, Peato Mauvaka, Thomas Ramos, Thibaud Flament in the starting XV, Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, François Cros, Cyril Baille and Julien Marchand on the bench: beaten in their last four confrontations against LOU, Stade Toulousain had brought out the artillery to tame his pet peeve. A paying choice which allows Toulouse to climb on the third step of the podium thanks to this third victory in four games, the ninth in eleven home games.
Toulouse doubles Lyon in the standings
Sixth at the start of this 21st day, the reigning French champion made the right operation of the weekend to pass in front of his victim of the day (5th) and keep in sight the second place occupied by the UBB which has five more points.
Despite the presence in their starting XV of their “Slamards” Dylan Crétin and Romain Taofifenua, Lyon have still not found the key on the outside: it is the 7th defeat in the last eight trips of the LOU, even missing the point of the defensive bonus in the last seconds.
In front of the score from the fifth minute thanks to a winning block from Rory Arnold on Baptiste Couillou, Stade Toulousain, sometimes put in difficulty by Lyon’s intentions, then relied on their internationals to keep control at the break (16- 9). First on a powerful try from Mauvaka (10th), then on two penalties from Ramos (17th, 40th + 1).
Dupont, Ntamack or Marchand to sound the revolt
Fed by Toulouse’s indiscipline, the LOU relied on the success at the foot of their opener Lima Sopoaga to stay in contact (16-12, 44th). Attractive, the Lyonnais then took advantage of a lost ball to allow Couilloud to avoid along the line and give his side the advantage for the first time in the match (19-16, 48th).
It was time for the Toulouse staff to launch the rest of the blue cavalry in stride with the joint returns of Dupont, Ntamack, Cros and Marchand, followed a few minutes later by Baille. Returned to height thanks to the foot of Ramos (57th), the Haut-Garonnais freed themselves on a try from their rear (73rd), author of 17 points in total thanks to a last freedom (78th).
Next challenge for Stade Toulousain and its Blues: a perilous derby in Castres which has not lost in its enclosure for 18 games and a little over a year.