Bayonne (AFP)
Bayonne confirmed his beautiful current pass by offering himself the champion of France (20-10), Saturday, during the 17th day, which sees the Basques giving themselves air in the fight for the maintenance and the Toulousains out of the top six.
After having brought back a good point from Montpellier (defeat 31-29) and then dominated the Stade Français (28-17), one of its competitors at the bottom of the table, the Aviron offered itself a breath of fresh air and climbed at the same time in 9th place.
For their part, the men of Ugo Mola confirm their difficulties outside this season and return from Jean-Dauger without having anything to complain about, as they have been struggling.
The champion of Pro D2 therefore offered himself that of the Top 14. Too undisciplined, the Red and Black take their feet in the carpet in the Basque Country, as during their last two outings in Bayonne.
This eighth defeat in nine trips complicates Toulouse's task in the qualification race.
The fault of a try by Alofa Alofa and the game at the foot of Romain Barthélémy (12 points) as much as the inability of Toulouse to concretize their domination.
Especially since Barthélémy came into play to compensate for the successive injuries at the opening of Lafage and Ordas. And it was he, patient and methodical, who punished the indiscipline of the Rouge et Noir by recording four penalties.
But this rowing has regained momentum over the past three weeks. And marrow.
Too bad for the apathy of Toulouse, taken by the throat and unable to set up his game. The absences of the internationals (Peato Mauvaka, François Cros, Selevasio Tolofua, Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos), confined to Marcoussis for Preparing the move of the Blues in Scotland there, does not explain everything.
There are nine days left for Toulouse to recover if they want to defend their title.
© 2020 AFP