Toulouse romp to Grenoble Top14 victory

Toulouse would not be out-done as they ran in eight tries to go second as they blitzed Grenoble 52-12.

France No.8 Louis Picamoles was at his bulldozing best as the four-time European champions scored five tries before the break.

Gael Fickou opened the scoring against a stretched defence as he cut inside and went under the posts.

Picamoles then set up Sebastien Bezy for his first of two tries after picking up from the back of a scrum and putting his half-back in down the blindside.

Former England international Toby Flood, who also knocked over five conversions, was next to benefit from more destructive running by Picamoles.

Christopher Tolofua picked up from the back of a ruck and set up Bezy for his second before Piccamoles went alone and drove over with three defenders hanging onto him.

Laurent Bouchet stoped the rot as he barrelled over just before half-time to leave Grenoble trailing 31-5 at the break.

Flood teed up Fickou for his second before Picamoles was given an early night just seven minutes into the second period, much to the relief of Grenoble’s battered pack.

Fickou got his hat-trick with a long-range counter after Grenoble turned over cheap ball in the Toulouse half.

Gilles Bosch glided in under the posts for Grenoble’s second try but on the final buzzer, Fijian wing Timoci Matanavou collected Maxime Medard’s chip to the corner to snare the eighth score.

French Top 14 results on Saturday:

Toulon 52 Montpellier 8

La Rochelle 38 Oyonnax 3

Pau 33 Agen 31

Brive 16 Bordeaux-Begles 3

Toulouse 52 Grenoble 12

Playing Sunday (times GMT)

Castres v Racing 92 (1115),
Stade Francais v Clermont (1515)