Despite a largely decreased and reworked workforce, the Toulouse stadium disgusted Clermont at the end of the 16th day of Top 14 (18-35) and takes up the orders alone with three points ahead of Bordeaux-Bègles and Toulon.
With or without its internationals, there is a constant … The Toulouse stadium is still as formidable! Despite the 13 internationals called for the next duel against Italy-Aldegheri, Jelonch, Brennan and Flament were released-Toulouse gave a real lesson in realism to Abasourdi Clermontois, at the final whistle, by the extent of their defeat (18-35). Severe compared to the investment and game offered. Certainly, facing Toulouse has become a ordeal for the Auvergne, who have not defeated this opponent since January 2022 and who remain on five consecutive setbacks. However, the players of Christophe Urios-who had decided to breathe new life with 6 changes in its workforce compared to the battered team in Pau (20-14)-had made a very correct start. Problem, Clermont has spoiled ammunition, including this badly flattened test by Alivereti Raka (9th), then guilty of head -to -head contact with Paul Costes, sanctioned with a yellow card (21st). A handicap that Clermont will have a hard time overcoming …
The men of Ugo Mola will indeed take advantage of it in stride, with a first test inscribed by Dimitri Delibes (0-10, 23rd), then a second through Anthony Jelonch (3-17, 37th). Fortunately, the yellow and blue will reduce the scoring at the right time, just before the break, at the end of a collective action concluded by Fritz Lee (8-17, 40th). Good news never arrives alone … Anthony Jelonch receives a warning, which will completely revive the game. In numerical superiority, the ASM will quickly register a second test, the work of Pierre Fouyssac (15-17, 46th), then a penalty of Anthony Belleau (18-17, 56th). In a few minutes, Clermont finds himself in front! But as Fouyssac explained after the match, the locals then lacked control: “We were in the match, and a bad reception in our camp costs us 3 points, then a little indiscipline … We must not leave them … They returned to the score like that, then they took off. It’s complicated. We competed with them for 60 minutes. »»
No offensive bonus for the Toulouse stadium
After the hour of play, Patatras … Toulouse, certainly fresher physically thanks to its bench depth, will put a fatal boost. Anthony Jelonch, in every time, gave the impetus to his team with an important test (18-27, 61st), while Juan Cruz Mallia is imperial at the foot (18-30, 66th). Two minutes later, Paul Graou ended any suspense (18-35, 68th). “We managed the end of the match as we had planned,” explains Anthony Jelonch. We knew that over the last 20 minutes, we were going to be cooler than them, with a large bench. It is a shame not to have been able to grab the offensive bonus point. »» Indeed, this will constitute the only Toulouse regret of the evening, because there will be the ammunition.
On an excellent dynamic, the Toulouse stadium takes up, alone, possession of the top 14 leader chair with three points ahead of Bordeaux-Bègles and Toulon. A rank that Toulouse seems capable of preserving over the next two days, with the Bayonne and Vannes receptions. Third after 11 days, Clermont is now struggling with a negative assessment of two victories on his last eight games in all competitions.
