Clermont stunned Toulouse 27-24 on Sunday, marking their first home defeat for nearly a year. This result highlighted that coach Ugo Mola still has work to do before the season ends.
Toulouse remains top of the table with a 12-point lead over Pau but this loss was more than just a reminder. The coach said they will take time to analyze it and come back with a different mindset.
Clermont climbed to fifth place with 61 points, solidifying their status as serious contenders for a playoff spot. Toulouse had not lost at home since May 17, despite the presence of France superstar Antoine Dupont on the bench or their unfamiliar beige jerseys matching those worn by the city’s football team that weekend.
Toulouse began smoothly enough but lost their grip on the game. Second-rower Marcos Kremer received an orange card and a 20-minute suspension, while Harry Plummer was shown a yellow for head contact with Kalvin Gourgues. This allowed Clermont to work their way back into the match, relying on solid set pieces and Toulouse’s many errors.
After the break, prop Giga Tutisani helped close the gap to just three points. New Zealand kicker Harry Plummer then turned the match on its head with two penalties, giving his side the lead.