Toulon (9th, 46 points) signs its fourth victory at home and its fifth success in seven games, proof of a rebirth of the Var club which, a few weeks ago, occupied the position of red lantern in the classification.

Carried by its executives Charles Ollivon, Baptiste Serin, Sergio Parisse, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe, its "Slamards" Gabin Villière and Jean-Baptiste Gros, returned with enthusiasm to the turbine, the RCT could only win.

The 3rd Italian center line Sergio Parisse tries to escape the tackles of two Clermont players, at the start of the 21st day of the Top 14, on March 26, 2022 at the Stade Mayol CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU AFP

Especially since it remained on a superb victory (41-11) on the Rade against La Rochelle last weekend.

Clermont, whose only away victory dates back to October, in Montpellier, for its part needed a success to enter the Top 6.

Seven trials

Unfortunately, despite the best attack in the Top 14, the Auvergne club (8th, 48 points) failed to overthrow the Mayol fortress, despite a burst of pride at the end of the game.

The match was marked by seven tries, but also numerous whistled penalties and a strong headwind, which handicapped the Clermontois in the first half.

The first try is the work of springbok world champion Eben Etzebeth who, after zigzagging in the Clermont defense less than five meters from the Auvergne line, manages to flatten by extending his arm (13-3, 16th).

The Auvergnats respond quickly with a three-quarter try, concluded by the former captain of the France sevens rugby team, Jean-Pascal Barraque, author of a superb inside hook (13-8, 25th).

Toulon replies at the very end of the first half, after the gong, by the pillar Jean-Baptiste Gros following a penalty touch, for the first try in the lily of the valley jersey of the very recent "Chelemard" (20-8 at half-time).

Toulon prop Jean-Baptiste Cros scores the 2nd try at home against Clermont, opening the 21st day of the Top 14, on March 26, 2022 at the Stade Mayol CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU AFP

Returning from the locker room, Aymeric Luc intercepts a pass in the Clermont camp then runs for more than sixty meters before flattening (25-8, 47th).

A few minutes later, Julien Hériteau, launched by his scrum half Baptiste Serin, worsened the score for the Varois (32-8, 54th).

ASM, in a burst of pride, then chained two tries, the first concluded by its "serial scorer", Alivereti Raka (60th), the second by George Moala in the 79th, in vain.

© 2022 AFP