Tops
Toulouse efficient
Deprived of many of its internationals, retained in the French group which beat Wales on Saturday in the Six Nations Tournament (27-23), the Stade Toulousain displayed all its effectiveness. Facing Montpellier, the Stadistes scored at the time (s) when it was needed, disgusting Montpellier yet dominating. With four tries registered and an offensive bonus point won at the end of the match, Toulouse proved to be formidable on Sunday at Ernest-Wallon.
The good move for the Stade
It was the announced shock of this 16th day of Top 14. Woe to the loser but especially happiness for the winner who could find the top 6. And, winner of this duel, the Stade Toulousain made the nice move of the week, kicking 6th place in Clermont (36 pts). An enhanced victory which allows the champion of France (6th, 40 pts) to ideally replace himself at the dawn of the last third of the season.
The rotation is illustrated
In lack of playing time or integrated into the rotation, some Toulouse have proven to Ugo Mola that he could count on them. Without his internationals, the technician passed by Brive aligned Verhaeghe, Pagès and Tauzin, placing on the bench players like Lebel. The first was very available in the current game. Pagès and Tauzin registered one try each, being respectively a decisive passer on the first and third tries of the Stadium. Lebel finally scored the (happy) bonus test at the end of the match (73rd). Points that matter.
#STMHR
Already the first Toulouse test! @z_holmes is at the conclusion after a very good breakthrough from @ tauzin_lucaspic.twitter.com / GFBKfuIuRs
flops
Montpellier not realistic enough
The MHR knew that a blow could be made on the lawn of Ernest-Wallon on Sunday. Came with ambitions, the Hérault club has ruined. Too much to hope to bring down sovereign Toulousains on their lawn for 513 days (26-22 defeat against Castres, September 29, 2018). Clumsy in the last gesture, imprecise balloon in hand, the MHR has multiplied the opportunities ... and forward. Witness these 10 minutes spent in the Toulouse 22 meters at the end of the first period, without Montpellier scoring a single point (0-12).
MHR still without a win outside
Nine months since Montpellier was no longer imposed outside. Undefeated this season at home, the MHR has still not won a single game away from base. Statistics shared by Brive (10th) and Stade Français (13th). It's very simple, to find a success outside Montpellier, you have to go back to last season and a success in Clermont on the last day (28-27, May 25, 2019). A record that weighs down the pretender in the final stages, remained at the gates of the top 6 (8th, 36 pts).
Crumbly Toulouse behind
If Stade Toulousain was formidably efficient, it also displayed some signs of weakness behind. Regularly pushed to its limits, Toulouse played to be afraid, under the pressure of Montpellier too clumsy. But the French champion will have to be more wary in the future if he wants to avoid some scares at the end of the season and cling to the top 6.
Read also
- Effective against Montpellier, Toulouse regains the Top 6
- Top 14 ranking
