Pau defeated Toulouse 34-14 at the Hameau on Sunday in the eighth round of the Top 14, scoring four tries to two. The Béarnais led 17-0 early and 17-7 at half-time, then held off a Toulouse response before pulling clear late. The result lifted Pau back onto the podium, while Toulouse stayed top but with UBB pressing behind them.
Facundo Isa scored Pau's first try and added a second from a driving maul in the second half. Tumua Manu also crossed in the first period, and Gorgadze scored late after a turnover. Toulouse replied through Lacombre before the break and Lukas Amati early in the second half, but the visitors could not close the gap. Pau finished without an offensive bonus.
Toulouse travelled with a heavily depleted squad, with around 30 players unavailable through injury, international duty or suspension. Ugo Mola had said during the week that the club was one player away from forfeiting the trip. Captain Anthony Jelonch left the field after taking a forearm to the face and did not return after failing the concussion protocol. Montoya and Roumat were among the players yellow-carded.
Pau were also missing five France internationals and several other players, but they made the most of early pressure and set-piece chances. Their scrum earned a penalty, and Isa's double helped them keep control after Toulouse briefly made it 17-14. The late score from Gorgadze sealed the margin.
Despite the defeat, Toulouse's young side showed promise, with Amati and Pouzelgues paired in the centres and Kinghorn at fly-half. But the leaders could not turn their second-half chances into enough points, leaving Pau to take a home win that strengthens their podium position.
Sources: Le Figaro.