Thrilling Showdown: Perpignan Triumphs Over Toulouse
This past Saturday evening, Perpignan managed to secure an exhilarating victory against Toulouse with a final score of 42-35. The match saw outstanding performances, particularly from Posolo Tuilagi , who displayed remarkable strength and agility, alongside rising star Mathys Lotrian , who made a strong contribution after being brought on during the second half. On the opposite side, Romain Ntamack proved why he is considered one of the top talents in modern rugby.
The Standouts
Tuilagi’s upward trajectory in performance had been noticeable over recent weeks. The Catalan colossus fulfilled his responsibilities as a ball carrier with impressive powerful runs throughout the match. His availability in open play marked him as one of the few players capable of making a significant impact against the formidable Stade Toulousain . His try in the 38th minute serves as a perfect example of his commitment to the game.
Initially viewed as the fifth-choice hooker for the club, Lotrian’s appearances for Usap in the later stages of the season confirmed his promising abilities. Scoring a double , the youngest member of his family significantly contributed to their dominance, showcasing quality decision-making and grit to propel his team towards a crucial victory.
As the end of the regular season approaches, Toulouse’s fly-half Romain Ntamack shone brightly, capping off the phase with aplomb. He kicked off the celebration by scoring the first try just 25 meters from the Catalan try line, overcoming three defenders in the process. Ntamack was also integral to the team’s second try, delivering a deft kick pass that was brilliantly collected by Matthis Lebel on the wing. Moments later, Dimitri Delibes added his name to the scoreboard, and with unshakeable calmness, Ntamack expertly led the Haute-Garonne team throughout the match. Additionally, he maintained a perfect kicking record of 3 out of 3 and made all 7 defensive tackles successfully.
- Dimitri Delibes: 6.5/10
Primarily playing at center, Delibes turned in an excellent performance, almost scoring early on before finally netting a try in the 25th minute. His opportunistic nature put him at the heart of every significant moment during the first half, finishing with three line breaks and four defenders beaten . However, like many of his teammates, he struggled somewhat in the second half of the match.
The Disappointments
Toulouse’s Emmanuel Meafou , a towering figure, has been underwhelming for the past few weeks. Not on the starting roster against Lyon, he faced off against Usap with an unfortunate performance. The lock forward committed two handling errors, one being a glaring mistake during a Perpignan kickoff. Throughout the match, Meafou failed to deliver the usual performance expected of him.
For South African prop Clément Vergé, it was a challenging evening as it marked his first starting game of the season at Aimé-Giral Stadium. Tasked with fortifying the right flank in the scrum, he instead faced difficulties, earning three penalties against him before being substituted prematurely in the 25th minute for Kieran Brookes , who was expected to deliver a more reliable performance.
Perpignan Player Ratings
- 15. Lucas Dubois: 5.5/10
- 14. Tavite Veredamu: 5/10
- 13. Aliveriti Duguivalu: 5.5/10
- 12. Jerónimo de la Fuente (cap): 6/10
- 11. Jefferson-Lee Joseph: 6/10
- 10. Tommaso Allan: 5/10
- 9. James Hall: 5/10
- 7. Noé Della Schiava: 6.5/10
- 8. Lucas Velarte: 7/10
- 6. Jacobus Van Tonder (not rated) replaced by Alan Brazo: 5/10
- 5. Posolo Tuilagi: 7.5/10
- 4. Mathieu Tanguy: 5/10
- 3. Nemo Roelofse: 4/10
- 2. Seilala Lam: 4.5/10
- 1. Giorgi Beria: 5/10
Toulouse Player Ratings
- 15. Lucien Richardis: 5/10
- 14. Ange Capuozzo: 5.5/10
- 13. Dimitri Delibes: 6.5/10
- 12. Pita Ahki: 5.5/10
- 11. Matthis Lebel: 5/10
- 10. Romain Ntamack: 7/10
- 9. Paul Graou: 5.5/10
- 8. Alexandre Roumat: 4/10
- 7. Léo Banos: 4.5/10
- 6. Mathis Castro-Ferreira: 5.5/10
- 5. Emmanuel Meafou: 4/10
- 4. Clément Vergé: 5/10
- 3. Dorian Aldegheri: 6/10
- 2. Thomas Lacombre: 5/10
- 1. Cyril Baille: 6/10
The clash between Perpignan and Toulouse highlighted the intensity and drama that rugby fans have come to love. As the teams prepare for their upcoming playoffs , fans will eagerly anticipate how these performances will impact the journeys ahead and whether stars like Tuilagi and Ntamack can maintain their impressive forms.

