Toulouse (AFP)

Toulouse succeeded in its reunion with its public at the Ernest-Wallon stadium, packed on Sunday to see the reigning champion dispose of Toulon (41-10) with the manner and settle alone in the lead from the second day of the Top 14.

After months of closed doors and gloomy atmospheres, Toulouse were keen to put on a show for the return of their supporters and they did not disappoint them with a rain of six tries necessarily synonymous with an offensive bonus.

This second success in two matches, after the one snatched away from La Rochelle (20-16) in a more laborious way, allows the Rouge et Noir from the banks of the Garonne to take control of the standings with one unit ahead of Racing 92 and Castres, who also achieved a clear round.

The Rouge et Noir de la Rade will still have to wait to really start their season after the draw conceded on the gong at Mayol against Montpellier (24-24) during the first day.

Toulouse full-back coach Clément Poitrenaud warned during the week that his players would have to find the right balance between enthusiasm and pragmatism.

The balance tipped rather at the start of the match towards an overflow of envy, punctuated by awkwardness masked by a test, on a ball carried, from the third row Selevasio Tolofua, very active.

And then the young Var scrum-half Jules Danglot (20) made things easier for the people of Toulouse by offering one after the other two balloons against Thomas Ramos and Zack Holmes, both fast enough to resist the return of Louis Carbonel.

The champions of France and Europe then rolled out, adding three new tries by third row Alban Placines, in force, winger Matthis Lebel, in finesse at the reception of a kick Romain Ntamack, and hooker Peato Mauvaka.

Coming into play in the 47th minute, rookie Anthony Jelonch, captain of the Blues during the recent tour of Australia, was applauded by his new audience, roomer on this hot late summer evening.

Thomas Ramos at the transformation of a Toulouse test against Toulon in Toulouse, September 12, 2021 FRED SCHEIBER AFP

The return leg could have a little more spice in the spring, when the South African star Cheslin Kolbe, who left for Toulon with a bang two years before the end of his contract in Toulouse, will be available this time.

© 2021 AFP