Toulouse (AFP)

A double from Romain Ntamack illuminated a dull match in the pouring rain and allowed Toulouse to continue, in front of Montpellier (23-9), his clear round to open the doors of the quarterfinals of the European Cup after the 3rd day, Sunday at Ernest-Wallon.

After their success in England at Gloucester (25-20), then at home against the Irish Connacht (32-17), the champions of France have confirmed their first place in Pool 5: with 13 pts, they created the hole in front of the other three teams, which they count only one victory.

A win next Saturday in Herault and the Rouge et Noir, semi-finalists of the competition in the spring, would take a big step towards qualification. Even to one of the four best group places, which offer a quarter-final at home.

For the Montpellier (3rd, 5 pts), who have not managed to reduce the defensive bonus point, the qualification seems on the other hand flew to less than a clear fault with several bonus points in the last three days. They will cut their last card next Saturday.

- Kolbe acclaimed -

Toulouse will aim for a sixth win in a row in all competitions, a series that confirms its net revival since the return of its international after the World Cup.

Of which Ntamack. His performance eclipsed the return, expected by the Toulouse crowd, of South African world champion Cheslin Kolbe, whose name was chanted before the match and who warmed up with encouragement before coming into play in the 56th minute. , instead of Maxime Médard. A huge ovation welcomed the reunion of the best player of the Top 14 last season with his audience. Like every one of his actions.

Ntamack, opener of the XV of France and elected revelation of the year by World Rugby, thus made him the show in the center, to concretize (like Thomas Ramos, author of 13 points with the foot) by two banderilles the work of the Toulouse front. Which, under a torrential rain, made speak their power and dominated their vis-à-vis Montpellier.

Ntamack scored the first try, served by Sébastien Bézy (36) at the end of an action initiated by captain Jerome Kaino. Before intercepting a pass from François Steyn to conclude after a sprint of 40 meters (49).

Two lightning bolts in a game that was closed due to weather conditions and played under the eyes of Shaun Edwards, the Englishman in charge of the defense of the XV of France, whose supervision is meeting in a seminar from Monday to Wednesday in Hossegor (Landes) .

Montpellier missed the boat early in the second period, when Benoît Paillaugue found the post (46) on a penalty that would have allowed his team to pick up at 13 to 9. Seven minutes later, Ntamack scored the second test, the break.

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