Even an orphan of his Blues, Toulouse did not have to force his talent on Friday to dominate Pau (31-9) with an offensive bonus, at the start of the 16th day of the Top 14, and consolidate his chair as leader.
Weaned from competition for three weeks after being affected by the Covid-19, the Red and Black were "so happy to play" finally again that they had "almost forgotten that it was a period of doubloons".
The absences of Antoine Dupont, Julien Marchand or Cyril Baille, to name a few, did not go completely unnoticed at Ernest-Wallon, but their teammates provided the essential: an eighth consecutive victory in the championship.
South African world champion Chelsin Kolbe scored, on his very first ball, his seventh try of the season after 9 minutes of play, an unstoppable inside hook and good work from his three-quarter center Pita Akhi, of all good moves in the first half.
The score acquired, the Haut-Garonnais were much less visible in the second act, played at a false pace until a last try by Yoann Huget.
With this new enhanced success, Toulouse puts pressure on La Rochelle and Racing 92, its two first pursuers, relegated to seven lengths before their difficult confrontations on Saturday in Toulon and against Lyon.
Pau remains in 11th place, within shooting range of Montpellier, which moves to Castres, another team in the race for maintenance.
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The roller coaster for Toulouse, wide winners against Pau
Top 14: Calendar and results
Top 14: Ranking