Paris (AFP)

Badly loaded in the first half, Toulouse patiently drew a first European victory on the pitch of Gloucester (25-20), who did not score any points in the second act, Friday in the opening match of the Cup season Rugby Europe.

With a line of three-fourths of globalists - Maxime Médard, Romain Ntamack, Sofiane Guitoune, Yoann Huget - the Stade Toulousain had announced to want to get off to a good start in this European Cup, a goal posted for the French champions, the result of the first match often conditioning the continuation in the competition.

And the Toulousains have actually come beating in the meeting. A long sequence of playing time and Australian opener Zack Holmes slammed a drop of 30 meters to reward a perfect entry into matter (3).

The Rouge et Noir dominated outright the first 20 minutes of play, reducing the English to chain the tackles with all arms. But it took only crumbs to the half-fray Joe Simpson to make the beautiful twice and knock out the beautiful insurance Toulouse.

A first ball recovered on throw in touch against men not ready to defend and after a 60-meter race Simpson flattened a first time (11th).

Toulouse has put the job well on the book but pounding on the opposing line is not mark. A first fault on an unbound group-penetrant, a good English contest and high-Garonne efforts have been reduced to nothing.

And like a bad genius, Joe Simpson will reoffend his crazy breakaway after a ball ripped from the hands of Holmes in the English 22 meters to finish behind the line a single race that Ramos could not thwart (14-3, 21st ).

Toulouse is groggy. Thomas Ramos, who at the beginning of the match was looking for the penalty points now takes the points. Gloucester finally manages to enter the opponent's 22 meters and Danny Cipriani sanctions foul Toulouse. The addition is heavy at half-time: 20-9.

Change of plan and Gray and Tauzin come into play from the start of the second period, Ntamack being replaced at the opening. And with patience, Toulouse Stadium will gradually catch up with the boot of Ntamack (43) and Ramos (52).

The men of the Toulouse bench put their hands on the balloon that Gloucester's men no longer see. After nearly three minutes of uninterrupted play at almost zero passes, Sébastien Bézy finally flattens behind his pack (62) and Toulouse takes the score (22-20).

Despite the last minutes tense, Toulouse defense will not give up, Gloucester not registering any point in this second period.

Entry difficult but objective for the quadruple European champions, who will receive the Irish Connacht November 23.

© 2019 AFP