Eagles overpowered by Toulouse

29/06/2021

Sheffield Eagles suffered back-to-back league defeats as their high-flying visitors Toulouse ran in 10 tries to win 6-54 at the Mobile Rocket Stadium.

Mark Aston selected a youthful outfit to take on the table-toppers. Max Clarke was handed his Eagles debut at left centre, replacing the injured James Glover.

Jordan Bull came in at right centre for the unavailable Connor Bower and Travis Corion was selected on the left wing with Ryan Millar chosen to fill the full-back berth.

The French side made a good start and scored after three minutes as Junior Vaivai picked up a loose ball to cross. Kheirallah converted his first goal of the day.

The visitors doubled their lead around 10 minutes later through a silky set-play. A dummy at the play-the-ball created a gap in the Eagles defence and Kheirallah was on hand to take advantage.

Illias Bergal was the next scorer for Olympique in a half where they kept Sheffield scoreless. 

Mathieu Jussaume and Eloi Pelissier completed a professional 40 minutes for the Frenchmen, with the duo notching a try apiece.

HALF-TIME: SHEFFIELD EAGLES 0-26 TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE

Jussaume added his second try five minutes after the break before the Eagles kept out Sylvain Houles’ side for 15 minutes.

Harrison Hansen then powered through the Eagles defence for Toulouse’s seventh of the game before Armitage went over on the Olympique left edge.

Anthony Marion and Bergal rounded off the visitors’ scoring for the day as both crossed the whitewash. 

Despite the domination from Toulouse, it was the Eagles who had the final say. 

Millar broke through the Olympique defence and Oliver Davies was in support to touch down, Harry Tyson-Wilson converted from in front.

FULL-TIME: SHEFFIELD EAGLES 6-54 TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE

By Lewis Coleman, photo by Alex Coleman