This Lyon looked like a head cutter, or rather a series breaker. Unbeaten since the start of the season, Stade Toulousain was picked up by the LOU on the synthetic turf of the Stade de Gerland at the conclusion of the 7th day of Top 14 (25-19), Sunday, October 17. Thanks to their victory, the Lyonnais score points and the spirits by offering the title holders. They are back in third place, behind Bordeaux-Bègles and Toulouse, still leader.
. Defeat of our Stadistes at the LOU, who bow for the 1st time of the season.
See you in front of the CO, next Saturday, for the 8th day of Top 14!#LOUST pic.twitter.com/cSXBi3lV6z
– Stade Toulousain (@StadeToulousain) October 17, 2021
“They are having a remarkable start to the season. On our side, there are always adjustments to be found, full of small imperfections that we have to try to erase over the matches”, warned, Friday at a press conference, Toulouse captain Julien Marchand. His teammates have gone through what could have become their benchmark match against the first opponent in the top 6 at the start of the season.
Toulouse were dominated by the defensive aggressiveness of Pierre Mignoni players. The return as holder of Josua Tuisova, injured since the second day in Pau, was the symbol. Last season’s top try scorer was behind his team’s first two goals. He first put insane pressure on receiving a kick on the young Baptiste Germain (20), usually a substitute. The big tackle Fijian allowed Georgian Beka Saghinadze to flatten. Back from the locker room, his decisive after-contact pass for Dylan Crétin (44th) preceded by a powerful rush is to be shown in all rugby schools.
On the bench at kickoff, Antoine Dupont entered just after the third Lyon test scored by Baptiste Couilloud (50th). With its nugget, Stade Toulousain, without being flamboyant, was still much more threatening. Lyon has long resisted, relying on a remarkable defense of solidarity and rigor, pierced only once by the French international Peato Mauvaka (67th).
The LOU was then within range of a transformed test which would have offered victory to the Stadists. But a penalty caused by the former Toulouse Jean-Marc Doussain followed by a new scratch sealed the victory in Lyon and above all, the first Toulouse defeat of the season.