Top 14: with the return of Dupont and the internationals, Toulouse dominates Perpignan (43-34)

2023-11-11 23:37:44

Congregated in the aisles of Ernest-Wallon, the Toulouse supporters patiently awaited the nine French globalists. So when they got off the bus, the tricolors, always so popular, were given a rock star welcome before returning to their locker room.

Acclaimed by the fans at Stade Toulouse, six players from the French XV returned to the group this weekend, including captain Antoine Dupont. Already on the fifth day, Dorian Aldegheri and Melvyn Jaminet were on deck with the French champions. Peato Mauvaka, he resumed from the match against Bordeaux-Bègles at the end of October. But this Saturday against Perpignan, it was the backbone of the team which once again defended the colors of the Rouge et Noir.

Jelonch already in his legs

Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Anthony Jelonch, Thomas Ramos… the XV aligned by Ugo Mola was enough to make the Catalans tremble. Without forgetting the Italian star Ange Capuozzo, who launched the Stade to victory with a first try in the 19th minute.

Finally, November 11 marked the return to normal for the last winners of the Brennus. They who were only sixth before today’s meeting, beaten by the leaders Palois last weekend without trying (13-9), found the squad and the weapons which allowed them to win the Top 14 last season.

Easier to dominate when you can send Anthony Jelonch (31st) or Peato Mauvaka (51st) to the pipebreaker to flatten in the in-goal. Easier when we can count on Thomas Ramos to score 13 points, and succeed in each transformation he attempted, as after the try of another international, Melvyn Jaminet (43rd).

Half a match for Dupont

And easier, too, when we can afford to bring in luxury jokers like Antoine Dupont and Cyril Baille. The captain of the Blues, who entered in the 47th minute with the number 21 on his back, was able to enjoy a nice standing ovation from a packed Ernest-Wallon stadium. Fans fired up in support of their favorite, like when the scrum half – converted to fly half this Saturday – pierced the first defensive curtain of the Catalans in the 56th, just before the entry of Cyril Baille.

A little worry too, when Antoine Dupont took Alivereti Duguivalu’s elbow in the neck at the hour mark, enough to bring back bad memories of his maxillo-zygomatic injury against Namibia at the Cup of the world. But this time, the contact had no consequences for the Blues star.

Only the four USAP tries somewhat spoiled the party in Toulouse, and deprived Ugo Mola’s men of the offensive bonus. Authors of a messy second period, the Toulouse residents scared themselves, but resisted the comeback of their opponents of the day to secure their fourth victory of the season (43-34). Enough to get on the podium, while waiting for the other matches of the day. Next weekend, Stade Toulouse and its Blues will meet in Castres.