Stade Francais bounce back to bury Toulouse
TOP 14 SUNDAY WRAP: Stade Francais rebounded from a tumultuous week to record a comprehensive 27-12 victory over champions Toulouse in the Top 14 on Sunday.
The Parisian club was forced to discipline players and coaches after a member of Pau’s coaching staff was reportedly hit in the face after Stade’s heavy 6-30 away loss last weekend.
There was seemingly no hangover from that, however, as Stade celebrated the 140th anniversary of their creation with a convincing home win over the record 22-time champions at a packed Stade Jean-Bouin.
Stade led 10-0 at half-time thanks to a Joris Segonds penalty and conversion of a Leo Barre try.
Segonds extended the lead with a second penalty, which was quickly followed by a converted try for Charles Laloi as the home side established a 20-0 lead by the 50th minute.
Toulouse finally got on the scoreboard through Matthis Lebel, but France fullback Thomas Ramos missed the conversion, as he did with an early first-half penalty.
Pierre-Louis Barassi bagged the visitors’ second try heading into the final 10 minutes.
Ramos converted to make it 20-12 but the nail in Toulouse’s coffin came when fullback Barre crossed for his second try, converted by Segonds.
The result saw Stade leapfrog Toulouse into fifth spot in a table headed up by Racing 92.
French Top 14 result on Sunday:
Stade Francais 27-12 Toulouse
Results on Saturday:
Toulon 36-13 Pau
Bayonne 34-19 Montpellier
Castres 29-14 Lyon
La Rochelle 35-6 Perpignan
Oyonnax 23-29 Bordeaux Bègles
Clermont Auvergne 23-18 Racing 92
