Without its Blues, Toulouse dominates Montpellier

Toulouse : 27
Montpellier : 17

Without its internationals, Toulouse has long fought against Montpellier, before taking advantage of the advantage in the second half. The defending champions of France now have 51 points and remain in the fight with the Union Bordeaux-Bègles.

Despite the absence of its 10 internationals, stayed in Marcoussis to prepare for the 6 nations tournament which begins on Friday evening, Toulouse responded for this first meeting of the duplicate period, a week after the sanction inflicted in Leicester in Champions Cup.

The Montpelliérains, who came with a large team and ambition, paid the price for the depth of Toulouse workforce.

Despite the numerous absences, Ugo Mola was able to align big names like Captain Jack Willis, the Italian rear Ange Capuozzo or Alexandre Roumat, returning from injury and which is already applying for a place in Wales with the XV of France .

A sly first half

However, the MHR thought it was a bad turn to the Toulouse, frankly not inspired in the rain in the first period and dumb until the break. The Stuart Hogg teammates even returned to the changing rooms (3-0) after a disjointed first act.

But under an always gray sky, the Toulouse stadium came off in the second half thanks to lightning of which it has the secret. Barely returned from the locker room, Mallia, author of a good game at the foot, presented the two teams to level with a penalty (3-3, 44^e) Before the scrum half Paul Graou finally awakens Ernest-Walloon by piercing the Hérault defense thanks to a fantastic cavalcade, concluded by Dimitri Delibes (10-3, 47^e).

Essays at the end of the meeting

The Scottish Blair Kinghorn, after a good job from the Paul Costes center (65^e), then Delibes again (72^e), dug the gap, even allowing Toulouse to hold the offensive bonus for a few minutes.

But the MHR reacted well to deprive the Hauts-Garonnais from an additional point, with two tests at the end of the meeting of Christopher Tolofua and Florian Verhaeghe.

The Montpellier, who remained on three consecutive successes in the championship, miss them the opportunity to reposition themselves at the top of the ranking.

The file

Half-time: 0-3.
Referee: M. Rousselet.
Toulouse : 3E DELIBES (47^e72^e), Kinghorn (65^e); 3T Mallia (47^e65^e72^e); 2p model (44^e58^e).
Montpellier : 2 Talofa (74^e), Verhaeghe (80^e) ; 2T Hogg (74^e80^e) ; 1P Hogg (12^e).