Ange Capuozzo returned from worldwide obligation to attain a hat-trick of tries as Toulouse reasserted their grip on the High 14 by crushing Pau 55-10 on Saturday.
HT Picture
Every week after dropping at second-place Bordeaux-Begles, Toulouse collected a bonus level to maneuver six factors clear. Bordeaux-Begles go to struggling Racing 92 on Sunday.
“It’s cool to be able to get back on track before the season’s final sprint,” mentioned Capuozzo.
Toulouse coach Ugo Mola was in a position to make 11 modifications to his beginning 15 from the loss in Bordeaux, however he was nonetheless with out star scrum half Antoine Dupont, out for the season after knee surgical procedure for an harm he suffered within the Six Nations, and fly-half Romain Ntamack.
Toulouse took some time to settle towards a frantic Pau crew who grabbed the lead with a second-minute penalty.
Factors started to stream after the dazzling Italian again Capuozzo ran 50 metres to attain his first attempt within the twenty fourth minute.
Capuozzo, taking part in on the wing, added a second three minutes later. Fly half Juan Cruz Mallia additionally scored earlier than half time.
“We had a mixed first 20 minutes, but what helped us enormously was that we scored on the few occasions when we were on top in the first half. That meant we were less worried at half-time,” mentioned Capuozzo.
“It’s a good thing we’ve got these counter-attacks where we score, because the scenario could have been different at the break.”
After 49 minutes, Capuozzo broke extra tackles to finish his hat-trick and was instantly changed. He returned quarter-hour later to switch Paul Graou at scrum half. By then Mallia had scored his second.
Centre Pita Ahki scored the fifth landing however then gave away a penalty attempt.
Alternative front-row forwards Thomas Lacombre and Joel Merkler responded with late tries to finish the rout. Thomas Ramos, the highest scorer within the Six Nations as France gained the title, transformed 5 of the tries.
Toulouse swap to defending their European title subsequent Sunday after they host English membership Sale within the Champions Cup.
“It’s a good omen, we’ve won, we’ve got a bonus win and it means we can look forward to the next week with a slightly lighter mind, because we’ve done our job in the Top 14,” mentioned Capuozzo.
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