Romain Ntamack, François Cros, Matthis Lebel ... The Blues were already back in the Pink City, but in "civilian" form in the stands of Ernest-Wallon.

The heroes of the day before, given an ovation during their appearances on the giant screens of the stadium, surely appreciated the performance and the five tries scored by their teammates.

Their second consecutive success at home, after that obtained in a hard fight against the leader of the time Bordeaux-Bègles (12-11), allows the defending champion, fifth, to return to the qualifying places for the final stages.

With an updated calendar, the MHR still retains control of the rankings, two steps ahead of its runner-up, the UBB.

For the first time in the season outside the health gauge, Ernest-Wallon did not refuel for what Stade Toulousain had itself described as a "doubles final".

A last effort to provide for young and old who have somehow held the house in the absence of international forces.

Missed out on their start two weeks ago against Stade Français, the Rouge et Noir struck from the first minute of play this time.

Barely finished the tribute paid to the former Argentine player Federico Martin Aramburu, shot dead this weekend in Paris, his compatriot Juan Cruz Mallia spun on trial.

The difference after the break

Disadvantaged by a strong autan wind in the first half, the Toulouse insisted on the hand, but they made too many blunders to concretize their good offensive intentions.

The Toulousains congratulate each other on the try of Martin Page Relo (in the center) against Montpellier in Ernest-Wallon, March 20, 2022 Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

Thing done once the wind was at your back, first thanks to a try from Maxime Médard (46th) following a decisive breakthrough by the Australian colossus Emmanuel Meafou, very present with his compatriot and second-line friend Rory Arnold .

The young scrum-half Martin Page-Relo, before seeing Antoine Dupont return, signed the first try of his career in the Top 14 at the conclusion of a fine collective movement (58th).

The strength test of the Montpellier pillar Robert Rodgers only maintained the suspense for a time (60th), definitively killed by those at the end of the match from the Toulouse center Lucas Tauzin, synonymous with an offensive bonus (76th), and the half of scrum replacing Baptiste Germain (79th).

Stade Toulousain has beautiful - in the name of the best interests of French rugby and the playing time granted to its usual second knives - not to have complained about the duplicates in recent weeks, the return of its blue "Chelemards" will still do him good.

Because after having faced the leader, the Haut-Garonne club will continue with the third, Lyon, then the fourth, Castres, his best enemy, who has not lost in his enclosure for more than a year.

© 2022 AFP