Saturday Round-Up

Toulouse dent hopes: French outfit Toulouse suffered an almighty setback this weekend, as they went down 9-3 to an Oyannax win at Stade Charles Mathon, Infront of a lively home crowd, the hosts left Guy Noves’ side disappointed, having claimed a crucial victory in the race for the Top 14 Playoff positions. After a poor first half, marred by poor execution and a high level of unforced errors, both sides went into the break with three points a piece to their name. Despite naming a side which included the likes of Louis Picamoles, Luke McAlister and Gael Fickou amongst others, Noves’s side couldn’t break down the hosts’ defensive efforts. It was left then to flyhalf Benjamin Urdapilleta to knock over two further penalties to seal a crucial six point victory for the home side. With the likes of Grenoble, Montpellier and Bordeaux-Begles all chasing a spot amongst French elite, Toulouse missed a clear opportunity to get one up on a potential rival and cement their credentials as a Top 14 playoff candidate.

Brive duo sign: Brive fans around the world are waking to positive news this morning, as it emerges that the club have confirmed the extension of both Nicolas Bezy and Francois Da Ros’ contracts. After featuring prominently for the club in recent months, Bezy has become a key figure at Brive, having previously had spells at Grenoble, Stade Francasi and Toulouse. Hooker Da Ros, aged 31, has signed a two year contract extension with the club, with the option of increasing his stay by a further year, having previously joined the club from Bayonne.

Ryan Sheady