Advertisement
Maxime Médard dots down for Toulouse in the second half. Andrew Fosker/INPHO
resurgent

Toulouse win again as Glasgow make Champions Cup statement

Guy Novès’ men ran in three tries to claim a crucial away win at the Rec.

TOULOUSE MADE IT two wins from two in Pool 4 of the Champions Cup with a 21-19 victory away to Bath.

34-year-old man of the match Imanol Harinordoquy was once again in superb form for the French outfit, continuing to demonstrate that he is far from finished at this level of the game.

Bath fought hard to get more than a losing bonus point from the game at the Rec, testing Toulouse’s lead right until the final whistle, but ultimately missed the creative influence of Kyle Eastmond in their midfield.

Having lost their two opening pool games, it now looks like too big an ask for Mike Ford’s side to advance to the knock-out stages.

For Guy Novès and Toulouse, European competition has allowed them to generate genuine momentum in their season, after a dispiriting start to their campaign in the Top 14.

As important as the results has been an encouraging expansion in their attacking game, which has been reductive at times in recent seasons. Tries for Vincent Clerc, Harinordoquy and Maxime Médard in Bath were the latest illustration of the improvements.

Replacement hooker Ross Batty scored a 74th-minute try for the home team, allowing George Ford to draw Bath to within two points with his conversion, but Toulouse held out for an important victory.

Ford kicked a total of 14 points for Bath, including a first-half drop goal, while Toby Flood hit two conversions for Toulouse. Luke McAlister added the extras to Médard’s try, two points which proved crucial.

Chris Fusaro and Robert Ebersohn Glasgow's Josh Strauss runs over Robert Ebersohn of Montpellier at Stade Yves du Manoir. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

In the second Pool 4 clash of the day, Gregor Townsend’s Glasgow Warriors made a Champions Cup statement with their 15-13 victory away to Montpellier.

Following the convincing beating of Bath in Scotland last weekend, Glasgow continued their fine form. Out-half Finn Russell kicked all their points from the tee, but there were crucial attacking involvements from centre Mark Bennett among others.

The Scots conceded a last-minute penalty try at the scrum, but that failed to take the gloss off a major win for the club, who have shown consistent growth in the last two seasons.

The Warriors have been tipped as outsiders to challenge for the Champions Cup this season, and this impressive victory will have done little to convince otherwise.

Warriors EPCR EPCR

Connacht concede five tries in comprehensive defeat to Chiefs

‘We couldn’t get the ball we wanted’: Best laments key turnovers that cost Ulster

Your Voice
Readers Comments
6
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.