TOPS
Clermont won the war of nerves
What a fright for the Auvergnats!
Franck Azéma will surely wonder how his team was able to go from a situation of double numerical superiority linked to the exclusions of Iosefa Tekori and Richie Arnold, with a comfortable lead of 14 points (26-12 in the 53rd).
ASM built its success on a dominated first half, particularly in the conquest sector.
A penalty try (23rd) came to symbolize this collective effort.
For his part, Lopez had a full match against the poles, which proved invaluable.
A beautiful tribute to Éric de Cromières
The emotion was palpable during this beautiful minute of applause at the Marcel-Michelin Stadium, like the tears of Franck Azéma.
The new president of ASM, Jean-Michel Guillon, has decided to say a few words alongside his Toulouse counterpart, Didier Lacroix, to pay tribute to the former president who died at the end of July following cancer.
A president who was particularly appreciated by his peers and who had become an emblematic figure of the Auvergne club.
The @ ASMOfficiel pays a vibrant tribute to President Éric de Cromières # CRC # ASMSTpic.twitter.com / bAdpEvUld0
- Canal Rugby Club (@CanalRugbyClub) September 6, 2020
The Toulouse reaction
"The champion has heart."
Toulouse, led 26-10 and 13 against 15, signed a breathtaking return in the last half hour of play, when defeat seemed inevitable.
Led by a Ntamack found after a missed first half and by a conquering forward pack on a carried ball, the Haut-Garonnais were mad and took advantage of Clermont apathy to return to the front ten minutes from the end.
Only a personal feat of Moala (69th) allowed the locals to win.
The try refused to the young opener of the XV of France in the last moments (79th) angered the champion staff of France, who thought they had successfully concluded this comeback.
The brilliant gesture of Ramos
The rear of the XV of France Thomas Ramos made a gesture of great class.
Substitute at kick-off, he was put under pressure near his goal.
He then made a pass between his legs for Romain Ntamack, who started a counterattack.
The action continued with Lebel on the right wing who moved up the field, before finding Antoine Dupont inside.
The latter fixed a last defender, before scoring and allowing Toulouse to take the lead for the first time (26-30, 67th).
WHAT TEST @StadeToulousain with @ Dupont9A at the conclusion and WHAT GESTE BY @ ThomRamos15
What an end of the match on @ canalplus # ASMST # CRCpic.twitter.com / oy282rTXrj
- Canal Rugby Club (@CanalRugbyClub) September 6, 2020
FLOPS
Two teams far too undisciplined
14 faults for Clermont-Ferrand, 17 for Toulouse.
The two teams showed a glaring lack of discipline, like these four cards given by the referee of the meeting, Mr. Raynal.
An indiscipline far from the standards required to win a Top 14 match.
Iosefa Tekori and Richie Arnold, two red cards
Stade Toulouse has come close to an achievement, and this at 13 against 15. Ugo Mola and his players may regret the two red cards received by his two colossi Samoan and Australian.
The former Castresi was guilty of an elbow in the jaw of Fritz Lee (33rd), while Richie Arnold did not make the sufficient effort to bend down and sent his shoulder (49th) .
Their presence in the European Cup quarter-final against Ulster on September 20 is widely understood.
Read also
Calendar and results Top 14