Toulouse Coach Ugo Mola Laments ‘Catastrophic’ Lineout Loss After Clermont Defeat
Stade Toulousain head coach Ugo Mola delivered a blunt assessment of his team’s performance following a 27-24 loss to ASM Clermont Auvergne in Top 14 rugby on Sunday, April 27, 2026. Speaking to reporters after the match at Stade Marcel-Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, Mola singled out the lineout as a critical area of failure.
“On a une conquête catastrophique,” Mola said in French, translating to “We had a catastrophic lineout.” The remark came during his post-match press conference, where he addressed the unexpected defeat that ended Toulouse’s bid for a bonus point in the league standings.
The loss marked a rare setback for the defending champions, who entered the match as favorites against a Clermont side fighting for playoff positioning. Toulouse had won their previous five Top 14 matches, including victories over Racing 92 and Bordeaux-Bègles.
Clermont capitalized on Toulouse’s struggles in the set piece, securing crucial turnovers and penalties from their own lineout defensive work. The home side converted these opportunities into points, with fullback Anthony Belleau contributing 14 points through kicking and a late try.
Toulouse’s scoring came from tries by wing Juan Cruz Mallia and flanker Alexandre Roumat, supplemented by conversions and penalties from Thomas Ramos. Ramos, the team’s goalkicker, added 10 points but missed a second-half penalty that could have leveled the score.
The defeat leaves Toulouse in second place in the Top 14 table with 68 points from 22 matches, two points behind leaders Racing 92. Clermont moves up to sixth place with 52 points, keeping their hopes alive for a top-six finish and direct qualification for the playoffs.
Mola acknowledged Clermont’s effectiveness in exploiting Toulouse’s vulnerabilities but stressed that the responsibility lies with his squad to correct the issues. “We gave them too many easy balls,” he said. “When you lose the lineout, you lose the foundation of your attack and defense.”
The lineout has been a traditional strength for Toulouse, ranking among the best in Europe over the past decade. However, this season has seen inconsistencies, particularly away from home, where Toulouse has lost three of their last five matches.
Looking ahead, Toulouse prepares to host Castres Olympique at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Saturday, May 3, 2026, in a crucial Top 14 fixture. The match kicks off at 8:05 p.m. Local time (6:05 p.m. UTC) and will be televised nationally on Canal+.
For Clermont, the victory provides momentum as they travel to face Montpellier Hérault Rugby on Friday, May 9, 2026, in another pivotal league encounter.
Both teams will aim to build on this weekend’s results as the Top 14 enters its final stretch, with playoff qualification and home-field advantage still undecided in several positions.
Fans can follow live updates, match statistics and official standings through the Top 14’s official website and the clubs’ respective digital platforms.
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