With a magical DuPont, Toulouse take Bayonne into the Top 14

Stade Toulouse never gives up, especially when it comes to sports. Punctuated by eleven tries, to the point of going for an insulting bonus at the last second at the end of an absolutely insane encounter. Between two teams focused on attack, this meeting turned out to be a lively spectacle. At the break, Antoine Dupont’s teammates – who will join the France 7 with the Olympic Games in mind – led 26-19. After Piula Fasalele (40th+3) and Napo Laulala (40th+5) were yellow cards for repeated fouls near their goal, they made it thirteen, opting to eat up the clock.

During this first period, Toulouse and Bayonne responded for Tate. Setrecki didn’t make the perfect pass for Bituniata’s (12th) opening try, the Basques responded strongly with Vincent Guidicelli following a penalty (17th). Then the genius of Antoine Dupont made the first difference – a trick try in the 20th, a cross pass for Pita Ahki (24th) – to allow his team to take off (21-7).

But Beyoncé didn’t see it that way: Chek Tibergian (36th) and Guillaume Martok (40th+5) put Rowing back in the race, while Jack Willis finished off his interception (38th) to allow Stade Toulouse to maintain their lead. In the second half, even with a double numerical inferiority, the Toulouse team scored their fifth great try through Alban Plesins (47th), before two “penalties” returned to the field.

Once again, Bayonne responded with play to send his winger Arnaud Erbinertegaard into the test (61st, 31-26). This ninth effort put Bayonne into a defensive bonus from which they relinquished thanks to a penalty goal scored by Juan Cruz Mallia (75th) before a yellow card collected by Maxime Machenaud (76th) for a dangerous tackle. It was then that the Stade Toulouse, in numerical superiority, turned up the volume: Pierre-Louis Barassi (80th) then Malia (80th+2) went for an attacking bonus thanks to a great breakthrough from the essential Antoine Dupont and his pass. Crouching legs, two magical actions. This gifted man is missing from the French XV, and will be missed by Toulouse.