The Toulonnais, although reduced to fourteen following the red card of Jérémy Sinzelle (47th) dominated Castres 41-19. In front at the break (19-12) the Varois fought back in the second half to claim a third victory in a row which allows them to provisionally join the leading trio.
Outnumbered from the 47th minute of play after a red card against Jérémy Sinzelle, Toulon won against Castres on Saturday (41-19) at the opening of the 8th day of Top 14. Thanks to this victory, its third of straight after those against Racing 92 and Clermont, the Rugby Club Toulonnais provisionally climbs onto the podium of the championship.
The CO (4th) remains in the top 6 but may regret not having taken advantage of its numerical superiority for almost half an hour when it was only seven points behind at the break. Undefeated at home this season, the Varois put their heart into Saturday to continue their series at Mayol. Pierre Mignoni’s men signed their fourth success on their home field this season thanks in particular to two doubles from the Fijian Setariki Tuicuvu (30th, 42nd) and Gaël Dréan (62nd, 70th).
However, it was Castres who launched hostilities first with an opportunistic try from Fijian winger Josaia Raisuqe. Even if the domination was in favor of the RCT, the Tarnais managed to score a second time before the break to reduce the gap opened up by Enzo Hervé against the posts. The red and black striker took full advantage of Castres’ indiscipline by stringing together penalties (21 points in total) to take the lead and then secure the victory after the red card against Jérémy Sinzelle following a high tackle on Geoffrey Palis (47th).
At fourteen against fifteen, the Toulonnais showed desire and continued to produce play with their sights set on the offensive bonus point. If the double from winger Gaël Dréan allowed them to believe it, they did not manage to drive the point home at the end of the match. The RCT launches its series of three home matches well with a first success before hosting Pau on Saturday then Exeter in the Champions Cup on December 9. Castres, for its part, is experiencing its third setback of the season before hosting Lyon next weekend for the 9th day of the Top 14.