Arnold's Toulouse continues perfect Top 14 start as Swinton red card mars Bordeaux thumping win

Sun, Sep 22, 2024, 10:18 PM
AW
by AFP and Nathan Williamson
Toulouse have cruised to victory in the Top 14. Photo: AFP
Toulouse have cruised to victory in the Top 14. Photo: AFP

Former Wallabies lock Richie Arnold and Toulouse have maintained their unbeaten start to the French Top 14 season by beating Montpellier 20-11 on Saturday.

French playmaker Thomas Ramos contributed 15 points as he crossed for a first half try as well as kicking two conversions and two penalties to keep the champions top of the table.

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Scrum-half Leo Coly was hosts Montpellier's only try scorer as they lost for a second time in three games, continuing their poor form from last season when they only escaped relegation thanks to a play-off.

Both teams finished with 14 players after Ramos and Montpellier full-back Stuart Hogg were shown late yellow cards for an off the field scuffle as the pair pushed each other near the touchline.

"We know how important points away from home can be," Ramos told Canal+.

"It was a slightly stupid incident from both us players, it's not just because we're not at home that we don't show character.

"It shows the mentality of the whole team at the end of the match," he added.

A red card to Waratah and Wallaby Lachlan Swinton was the only lowlight in a 52-34 win for Bordeaux over Racing 92.

Swinton came off the bench in the 47th minute but was issued his marching orders with seven minutes to go after a lifting tackle gone wrong.

The backrower made his debut in the opening round of the season against Paris but faces a nervous wait to learn his fare

Ramos' France team-mates Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud ensured the game was well out of reach though as they scored hat-tricks in the dominant win.

Swinton's ex-Waratahs teammate Alex Newsome had a brilliant day with Clermont, finishing off a stellar try in their win over Bayonne.

The fullback created the break from his own 22 and dived over in the corner after a wonderful exchange of hands between the forwards and backs in the 26-10

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