Ramos almost perfect, ASM sinks

Tops

Toulouse widens the gap

With the defeat of La Rochelle in Bayonne (29-13) and Montpellier in Castres (26-13), Toulouse had the opportunity to widen a first gap in the Top 14 classification. this 6^And matchday (Lyon-UBB, Sunday evening at 21:05), the Hauts-Garonnais will have six points clear of Toulon (2^And17 pt) and La Rochelle (3^And, 17 pt). A first break obtained thanks to the precious victory at the French champion Montpellier last week, but also to the offensive bonus obtained this Saturday evening against Clermont.

Read alsoTop 14: Toulouse win widely against Clermont

Almost perfect Ramos

A brace, 26 points, and almost flawless against the poles: Thomas Ramos made an impressive performance. Since the start of the season, Toulouse’s first goal did not seem disturbed by the arrival of Melvyn Jaminet, and it proved it again this evening. The usual full-back led the game with skilful kicks and skillful occupation of the field. Former Columérin offered a brace with an interval in the first half (26^And), then on the interception of Sofiane Guitoune (51^And). He completed his overall performance with a 7/8 against goalposts, including some corners. With 26 points, the national team (17 appearances) fails seven points off the record for points scored by a player in a Top 14 match, namely Castrais Benjamín Urdapilleta (33 points against Montpellier on Saturday 13 February 2021).

The convincing return of the internationals

They were missing against Montpellier: the French internationals of the Stade Toulousain returned to Ernest Wallon’s lawn, and with success. Moving in the first period, the vast majority of these executives delivered a solid copy: Antoine Dupont was challenged by the promising Baptiste Jauneau, 18, but played fair, Anthony Jelonch adapted well to the repositioning to the second row due to the numerous absences from the post, Peato Mauvaka made a dynamic entrance and Pierre-Louis Barassi made sharp races. In short, a green light awaiting the return of Romain Ntamack.

Read alsoTop 14: Toulouse outclasses Clermont and consolidates its leading position

flop

A second one-way period

In the debriefing of the match, the Clermontois will not have to look far to explain the knockdown they received in Occitania: the Asemites simply received a terrible 26-0 in the second period, and were unable to realize their highlight. They suffered two tries at the interception on their return from the locker room (Ramos (51st), Roumat (66th)) which put an end to the suspense. What followed was just a wave of test situations for the locals.

Clermont, a fatal turnover

After two reassuring successes on La Rochelle (22-13) and Lyon (43-20), Jono Gibbes’ ASM had chosen to rotate for the next deadlines. If the New Zealand coach can draw some satisfaction from the youngsters, the bets were too numerous to be all winning: the express return of Pumas Tomas Lavanini and Bautista Delguy, the return from injury of Cheikh Tiberghien or the transfer to the center of Damian Penaud. The bench, all too young, paid for the inexperience at the end of the game (three players under 21).

A controversial essay … but very valid

The first period is marked by a goal that at first sight is banal: the ball brought into the goal that conquers Clermontois, and the hooker Adrien Pélissié who collapses behind the goal line. The referee, Benoît Rousselet, awarded the try. But after watching the video, it emerged that the former Bordeaux-Bèglais lost control of the ball before flattening out. However, no angle offered by the broadcaster showed that the ball was no longer clearly in contact with the hooker. The referee could not say for sure that the ball was no longer in possession, he awarded the try.