The game: 21-14
The LOU fulfilled its contract this Sunday evening by winning a prestigious poster against Stade Toulousain, which saw a few internationals return to its ranks (Mauvaka, Ntamack, Lebel) even if most were left to rest (Marchand, Jelonch, Ramos) or unavailable (Baille, Flament and Dupont, suspended for his dangerous gesture against the Springboks).
Usually focused on the attack, the two teams have not denied their philosophy. But they forgot to add precision to their good intentions. Many hand faults disrupted the animation of the two teams. And, in the first period, it was Toulouse who came out the best thanks to a flash from Romain Ntamack (15th).
After the break, the Lyonnais finally set the sights. Much more dynamic than their opponents, they cracked the Toulouse defense twice thanks to Davit Niniashvili (47th), still as restless, and Ethan Dumortier (54th). In seven short minutes, the LOU took control of the meeting never to let go again, despite the great pressure from Haut-Garonne in the last moments of the game, symbolized by the forceful try of Alban Placines (79th) .
Not spared by knockouts this Sunday (Barassi, Costes, Retière), Stade Toulousain leaves Gerland with a few headaches. But, despite this third setback of the season, Ugo Mola’s men remain at the top of the Top 14, while LOU climb to fourth place.
6
This is the sixth time in a row that Stade Toulousain has failed to win against Lyon. The Haut-Garonnais have not won at Gerland since November 26, 2017 (9-17). Since then, they have accumulated five defeats and a draw at LOU.
The player: Romain Ntamack’s answer
Criticized for his disappointing performances in the France team during the autumn tour, Romain Ntamack returned to his club this Sunday with the stigmata of the fight against Japan (35-17) on his face. The opening half made a much more positive copy than his outing last week against the Brave Blossoms, by scoring Toulouse’s first try from the quarter-hour mark.
Inspired, Ntamack wisely slipped a low-footed game behind the Lyon defense, which was growing in strength, before getting ahead of Ethan Dumortier when diving for the ball. Also effective in defense, like his decisive interventions on Niniashvili at the start of the second period (44th, 45th), the Toulousain was rather reassured, despite a failure at the foot (10th) and a reception missed candle (52nd).