Toulouse pushes Montpellier out of its way and asserts its leading position

Located in the middle of the gathering of the Blues, this clash between Stade Toulousain and Montpellier closed the 16th day of the Top 14. Between Haut-Garonne, eager to consolidate their place as leader, and a champion of France in search of a performance , the various perspectives promised to be tempting. But the intentions were quickly stifled also by the defensive quality proposed by the actors. Montpellier showed itself relatively to its advantage, a few sequences imposed off relayed by forwards generally in the advance. Carbonel will pass the first points of the evening (0-3, 5th) after a clear launch. Stade Toulousain, rather clumsy in its business, will try to reply without success after a good effort from the first line but Mallia will not adjust the frame.

The MHR was applied, in the conservation and variety of offensives. The Cistes demonstrated skills in continuity despite a rather dense local defense. Carbonel after a failure in his ropes, will add three additional units, rewarding the collective efforts (0-6, 35th). The Haut-Garonnais will rely on the work of the forwards, still to their advantage in the showdown and Mallia will reduce the gap to the score in average position (3-6, 37th). A last raise between Lebel and Capuozzo will not come to an end after the good contest of the Héraultais. Carbonel will convert the new penalty and give a little more scope to the domination glimpsed in the first act (3-9, 40th). All that was missing were the tests when Lamositele was very close to the promised land a few minutes earlier.

Decisive squad depth

While the trend saw the Toulouse assert themselves as the minutes progressed and a significant contribution from the bench, Montpellier frequently missing the mark, especially against the posts (12 points). Points left en route, and more precise premises in the approach to the end. First by Cramont who went alone between the posts for a try full of punch (10-9, 56th). The Cistes were largely penalized and Serfontein then Darmon, asked to find the bench for 10 minutes almost in stride. A turning point in a resolutely balanced duel so far. Capuozzo will make his burst of speed speak, after a quick action offshore and a major achievement (18-9, 66th). The gap was significant, Montpellier was no longer able to compete.

The Toulouse insisted on the outside and Capuozzo offered himself a double at the end of the line after having carefully avoided Reinach in spectacular fashion (23-9, 77th). The offensive bonus in the bag, the men of Ugo Mola signed a second period of good quality, very far from the beginnings of a meeting however badly embarked. The locals will be able to assert this leadership during the next and the new reception of Aviron Bayonnais next week. As for the Cists, long in the game and lucid about their possessions, too much slag will have come to disturb their plans and an obligation of result will be necessary during the capital reception of Toulon next Saturday to find the pack of qualifiers.