If Emilien Gailleton and Théo Attissogbe proved on the Pau side that they were outstanding attackers, François Cros also showed that he was in a good period, when Romain Ntamack made an encouraging return.
The tops
François Cros
In line with its stratospheric 6 Nations Tournament, the Toulouse third row once again produced an extremely clean copy. Of course, he is not always flamboyant but he still showed himself to be very fair, especially in the defensive sector. Toulouse’s best tackler in this match, he also blocked a crucial ball into touch, in his 22 meters, while his team was going through a difficult moment. Offensively, he constantly tried to be an effective backup.
Romain Ntamack
Of course, it is also for the symbol that Romain Ntamack finds himself in this category. Already because we must not shy away from the pleasure of seeing him again on a Top 14 field, seven months after his left knee operation. But also because his entry was both encouraging and decisive. Indeed, reassuring defensively, he especially made a crossing on one of his first balls and he showed that he had gas on each intervention. Also, he played very fair in the last sequence, when Toulouse snatched the victory at the last minute. An action that he perfectly orchestrated. This is promising for the future.
Theo Attissogbe
As soon as a ball passes through his hands, something happens. Considered one of the great revelations of the Top 14 this season, the under-20 world champion once again proved this Saturday evening that he possesses a fairly unique talent. Author of a test in the first half in which he showed his burst of speed, he also demonstrated that he had a great vision of the game on his second personal try, after the break, when he anticipated a pass from Pierre-Louis Barassi to intercept it on his thirty meters and offer himself a solo raid. In short, he was a permanent danger.
Emilien Gailleton
He was decisive for the Pau Section in the first half. In fact, it was he who first scored his team’s first try at the start. Perfectly served in the meantime, he tore the Toulouse curtain before eliminating Tauzin with a hook to finish between the posts. On the second, his intervention in the line was again decisive. Thus, the international three-quarter advanced before serving Attissogbe with an acrobatic pass which allowed the full-back to slip into the goal. If he was less incisive defensively (even if he recovered two balls), he proved that he remained an outstanding attacker.
The flops
Facundo Gigena
The Pau left pillar did not have an easy first act. Often in difficulty in closed scrums, facing Dorian Aldegheri who is a specialist in the sector, he was called to order by the referee. But that did not prevent him from being sanctioned twice in the showdown. Penalties whistled against the Argentinian which regularly allowed Stade Toulouse to return to the Béarnais camp. Which also pushed Sébastien Piqueronies’ staff to bring out Facundo Gigena at half-time.
Lucas Tauzin
As the final stages approach, with the eighth of the Champions Cup against Racing 92 next weekend, he had a great opportunity to show his advantage and score points. Not necessarily decisive on the offensive level, even if he did not only have interesting ammunition to put in his mouth, he was especially guilty of a big error on the fourth try from Pau. Indeed, it was he who sent a long pass into his yards, read by Thomas Carol, who intercepted it.