A one-sided Occitanie derby. The clash at the top of the 17th day of Top 14 between Toulouse, 2nd at kick-off, and Castres, 3rd, largely turned to the advantage of the Rouge et Noir, winners with bonus (33-6) this Saturday at Ernest -Walloon. They scored five tries by Juan Cruz Mallia (4th, 49th), Emmanuel Meafou (20th), Joshua Brennan (39th) and Mathis Castro-Pereira (58th).
This improved success allows Ugo Mola’s men to score 55 points and therefore temporarily steal the lead in the standings at the Stade Français Paris. A halt, on the other hand, for the CO after three victories in a row.
After their big victory against Union Bordeaux-Bègles last weekend (41-12), the Tarnais nevertheless had arguments to make before moving onto their neighbor’s lawn. But what can we say about Toulouse’s form, although it is largely diminished by the absence of numerous internationals? The Rouge et Noir remained on seven consecutive victories before this Saturday. They started the match with a bang, scoring the first try in the 4th minute of play. A nice solo run from Juan Cruz Mallia, repositioned as fly-half for a few weeks.
His association at the hinge with Paul Graou has worked wonders. In the 20th minute, the latter perfectly served Emmanuel Meafou, returning from his knee injury, for the second try for the Rouge et Noir. Opposite, the CO made too many small errors and inaccuracies to be dangerous. Despite two incursions into the Toulouse goal, Jeremy Davidson’s team only scored three small points after a penalty from Louis Le Brun (26th). Frustrated, the Tarnais only had their anger to show off, as evidenced by the two or three scuffles which punctuated the first act. A derby remains a derby. Joshua Brennan finally hit the nail on the head just before the break (39th) by finishing a good maul for his team. Toulouse returned to the locker room with the virtual bonus in his pocket.
In the second half, the virtual bonus became very real as Ugo Mola’s men scored two additional tries. Well served by a nice low start from Paul Graou, Juan Cruz Mallia went for his double (49th). It was then the young Mathis Castro-Ferreira (20 years old) who, well served by Mathis Lebel after a Castres imprecision, dealt the blow (49th). As a symbol of the depth of the Toulouse bench in this period of doubles.
Stunned and far too imprecise to compete, Castres was only able to score three additional points through the foot of Louis Le Brun (45th). Before gradually resigning oneself. Unstoppable, Toulouse scores an eighth consecutive victory in all competitions and takes a big step towards the final stages. The next match is a trip to Perpignan next Saturday (9:05 p.m.). Olympic Castres will have to move forward this same day (5:00 p.m.) in Lyon.
