Toulouse won on the ground of Racing 92 (39-35) on Sunday, at the end of the 20e Top 14 day.
This second loss in a row at home for Racing, after the knockdown received in Lyon (45-11) leaves the Ile-de-France club in the 8the place (47 pts), three lengths from Bayonne, 6e and virtual last qualified for the final phase.
Toulouse increases its lead in the lead
Toulouse, for its part, has strengthened its grip on the championship and now has a nine-point lead over its runner-up, La Rochelle, and twelve over third-placed Stade Français.
Racing had not lost at Paris La Défense Arena since December 24 and a rout in the derby against Stade Français (48-10).
Under pressure, the Ciel et Blancs proved to be too approximate and too undisciplined (eleven penalties conceded, a yellow card for Eddy Ben Arous) to derail the red and black train, even deprived of its executives called to Marcoussis (Ntamack, Dupont, Ramos, Flament…) or wounded (Jelonch, Chocobares, Capuozzo…).
No matter, the Toulousains, even reworked, scored four tries, by the hooker Peato Mauvaka (8e), winger Dimitri Delibes (20e36e) and the second row Emmanuel Meafou (40e), in the first forty minutes to put an end to Ile-de-France ambitions.
Fourth success in the last five matches
Scrum half Paul Graou (50e) added another and Ugo Mola’s men thus have a fourth success in their last five matches.
As often, Racing 92 showed two faces: one, laborious and struggling in defense; the other as playful as it is spectacular, capable of passing five tries for one of the best teams in Europe.
Those of the young pillar Thomas Moukoro Abouem (55e), his first in the Top 14, from scrum half Antoine Gibert (60e) and winger Vinaya Habosi (67e) arrived too late.
Ten tries is a record this season, tied with the bottom-of-the-table shock between Perpignan and Pau (49-29).
After two weeks of international break, Racing 92 will absolutely have to catch up with its Parisian neighbor while Toulouse will go to Castres.
