The shock of the Top 14 confirmed the dominance of the leader from Toulouse, who won at home against Montpellier (45-29), despite heavily reorganizing their team for the occasion, on Saturday in the opening of the 20th round. Thanks to their eleventh consecutive home victory, where they have taken 53 out of 55 points, the reigning French champions confirm their place on the throne with a fourteen-point lead over their Occitan neighbor.
Montpellier, despite eight wins in their last ten matches, including away victories against Clermont (20-17) and La Rochelle (43-33), saw their impressive streak come to an end, putting their second place in jeopardy.
Missing many of their internationals who were left resting during their defeat against Bordeaux-Begles (44-20) the previous weekend, the Toulouse team recalled top players like Ramos, Flament, Jelonch, Kinghorn, Dupont, and Aldegheri in an attempt to calm down the Montpellier team, who had chosen to rest all their key players.
Ramos scores again
Thomas Ramos, the hero of the last tournament by scoring the winning penalty, was the first to shine by scoring the first of Toulouse’s four tries in the first half (7-3, 6th minute). Realistic but not flashy, the Red and Blacks had already built a comfortable lead by halftime (31-15), especially thanks to a double by their fly-half Paul Graou (14th, 25th minute).
Severely beaten in the first leg in Herault (44-14), Ugo Mola’s men maintained a reasonable distance throughout the second half despite a lackluster performance marred by conceding four tries.
Under light rain, Antoine Dupont made his return to the Top 14 in the 50th minute but struggled to make an impact on the game. With their top spot in the Top 14 now secured, Toulouse can now focus on preparing for the reception of Bristol in the Champions Cup quarter-finals next Saturday.
