Pau secured a 34-14 victory over Toulouse in the Top 14, a result that lifted Sébastien Piqueronnies' side back onto the podium. Both teams were affected by players protected by the France squad and by injuries. Pau were without a long list including Kaulashvili, Rey, Auradou, Brau-Boirie, Gailleton, Grandidier-Nkanang, Maddocks, Laclayat, Attissogbe, Pesenti, Maximin and Vergnes-Taillefer, but they managed the match despite several difficult spells. According to Le Figaro's analysis, Pau now need to build momentum.
Toulouse's young centre Lukas Amati produced a strong performance, making ground with every carry and often targeting the right areas with his natural power. He scored an opportunistic try in the 48th minute, beating four Pau defenders, and was solid defensively with eight tackles and one missed. He also caught Rodrigo Marta late in the game. Le Figaro described him as a player to watch.
Toulouse's scrum was largely dominant, despite conceding two penalties in the 66th and 72nd minutes. The starting front row of Bertrand, Lacombre and Colombe was solid, and the replacement pack of Mallez, Baille and Rapetti maintained the same intensity.
Tumua Manu, the 33-year-old Samoan who joined Béarn in 2020, was powerful for Pau. He was incisive in attack, including a break in the 15th minute, and defended well with eight tackles and one missed. In the 55th minute he fixed two defenders before offloading after contact, and he advanced again on the next carry. Pau's back row was also heavily involved. Loïc Credoz, a former Oyonnax player, made 14 tackles with one missed and was reliable in defence, at the lineout and with ball in hand. Facundo Isa scored the first try with power and stole an important ball in the first half before completing a double before the hour mark to help extend Pau's lead. Beka Gorgadze also had a great match and scored a try.
Gorgadze's contribution was marred by a costly error at the end of the first half. On a Toulouse maul just before the break, the Pau captain intentionally knocked the ball from Graou's hands. The action continued and led to Lacombre's try. Gorgadze appealed to referee Mr Bralley for a knock-on by the Toulouse scrum-half, but the appeal backfired because he was not allowed to hit the ball as he did. The try was awarded and Gorgadze received a yellow card.
Blair Kinghorn again struggled at fly-half for Toulouse in the absence of Romain Ntamack, Valentin Delpy and Thomas Ramos. He missed two touch-finds after penalties in the first half, prompting the Toulouse staff to ask fullback Remue to take over the kicking. He also committed a knock-on and did not have an impact in the second half.
Toulouse's senior players did not especially shine, while the young players Amati, Kouassi, Pouzelgues and Bonnard-Martin, among others, did not disappoint. Jelonch left with a concussion and is uncertain for the France squad gathering, while Roumat, Colombe, Graou and Kinghorn did not show the way for the young Toulouse side. Teddy Thomas barely touched the ball. Le Figaro noted that Toulouse will need to do better, especially with injured and international players absent.
Sources: Le Figaro.