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No one would have thought a pre-match parachuter getting caught on the side of the stadium would have stolen the headlines from this match, but here we are.
No one would have thought a pre-match parachuter getting caught on the side of the stadium would have stolen the headlines from this match, but here we are.
Toulouse's victory over Sale Sharks in an intriguing contest up until the hour mark when the hosts flexed their muscles to run out convincing victors came following a 40-minute kick-off delay due to botched pre-match entertainment.
The local fire brigade were called out to rescue the embarrassed parachuter, while stewards removed spectators sitting in the block below and were replaced by an inflatable rugby post which would act as a softener if the parachuter was to fall.
Finally game on!
It was all very bizarre but travelling Sale supporters who hoped to make it back for work on Monday would have felt agitated. But finally, we had some rugby and Sale rose to the occasion with a brilliant first half display capped by tries from Luke James and Jonny Hill.
Sale's Mancunian confidence was there for all to see as they were narrowly denied a third try when Tom Roebuck was adjudged to have been in touch on his way to scoring.
Player of the match Jack Willis had put the hosts ahead after just a minute and Toulouse trailed by 15-10 at half-time with the former England flanker's score added to by Thomas Ramos' penalty
Champions came roaring back
The inevitable Toulouse recovery arrived after the interval, though, as Francois Cros registered their second try from a driving maul before Ramos added the conversion to edge them two points in front.
Sale struggled to carve out the opportunities they were able to create in the first half, but they remained within striking distance until a moment of class from Romain Ntamack, who fired a delicate 50:22 kick. Julien Marchand profited from Ntamack's magic before Ange Capuozzo scored a stunning solo try, showing deft footwork and blistering speed to score under the posts.
It proved to be the wing's final act as he was carried off in a blow for the hosts, but Toulouse were not finished as Guillaume Cramont added gloss to the scoreline with another powerful surge.