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Toulouse issue warning statement to chasers Clermont
By Russell Greaves
Toulouse extended their lead over Clermont at the Top 14 summit as both enjoyed home wins on Sunday.
With Clermont overcoming Flip van der Merwe's dismissal to defeat Pau 27-14 in the day's opening game, Toulouse responded in style with a 53-21 bonus-point victory over Lyon.
The gap between leaders Toulouse and their nearest rivals is now seven points.
Sofiane Guitoune was the star of the show for Toulouse at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, grabbing a hat-trick in a first half during which a remarkable 60 points were scored.
Indeed, for the opening 20 minutes of that first period, fifth-placed Lyon looked set to pose a significant challenge to their hosts.
Converted tries from Xavier Mignot and Noa Nakaitaci had them in front, but it was all downhill from there for the visitors.
Guitoune completed his treble, with Sebastien Bezy, Pita Ahki and Lucas Tauzin also getting in on the act, before a much tamer second half saw Jonathan Wisniewski and Louis-Benoit Madaule exchange tries.
Clermont's win was less dominant, but still impressive in light of Van der Merwe's first-half red card for a dangerous tackle on Lucas Rey.
Fritz Lee and Remy Grosso both touched down, while Morgan Parra contributed three penalties and a conversion.
Eddie Jones post-match press conference:
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Latest Comments
Trump is most definitely random.
In this context though we are talking about the tone of recent event’s on this websites articles, which came well before Trump was made a fool and retaliated. Surely you read the part were I said it’s unfortunate given that they’re trying to find new sponsorship right now?
Well year I couldn’t comment on that, haven’t watched league up their in yonks, but I’ll say the Prem sides I’ve seen in CC certainly match you’re description of them. Pro rugby here only had the summer window, so I’d imagine that helps a lot in terms of scoring though, as do South Africa’s hard grounds? The rugby is the rugby anyway, I was more interested in the broadcast quality perspective. France’s is unique right? Prem on BT used to have some pretty dour sideline analysis, but that was half due the look, being two guys standing on the side of the pitch at night in your winter talking about the game. SRP does that now but is full on ott.
Go to commentsRight. But are they actually doing anything to ever base themselves in the islands with a mostly Pi born roster?
Or are they just content to be a 6th NZ team, filling their squad with Kiwis and Aussies (and an Englishman), spreading the talent even thinner than it already is, and make excuses every season why it’s not possible to play in the islands, let alone be based there? No, because most of their squad would rather stay home than do that.
If the Drua can manage all these things, why can’t this ‘island’ side?
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