Wigan Warriors climb to second with eight-try win over Toulouse Olympique

Matt Peet’s side moved two points clear of third-placed Wakefield Trinity and are now just two points behind leaders Leeds Rhinos with five rounds of the regular season remaining.

Toulouse made the brighter start and took the lead after four minutes when they went down the short side to Paul Ulberg, who cut back inside to score. Cesar Rouge converted to make it 6-0.

Wigan responded six minutes later as Zach Eckersley charged onto a superb cut-out pass from Bevan French before reaching over the line. Harry Smith added the extras to level the scores.

French then produced another moment of individual brilliance on 18 minutes, dancing across the Toulouse defensive line before throwing a dummy and wrestling his way over. Smith converted again.

The Warriors extended their advantage six minutes later when Jai Field found George O’Loughlin with a clever pass, with the youngster then sending Liam Marshall over in the corner. Smith converted to make it 18-6.

Toulouse refused to go away, though, and scored twice to level the contest.

Romeo Tropis darted onto a short grubber from Brendan Hands on 28 minutes, with Rouge converting, before the Toulouse halfback scored himself six minutes later.

Rouge’s grubber bounced off Smith’s palm and back into his path, allowing him to collect and score. He converted his own try to make it 18-18.

Wigan regained the lead just before half-time when another cut-out pass from Field found Noah Hodkinson, who finished well in the corner. Smith converted from the touchline to send the hosts into the interval 24-18 ahead.

The Warriors then took control after the restart. Eckersley scored his second try of the afternoon on 45 minutes after Hodkinson made a flying break down the right. Smith converted to make it 30-18.

Sam Eseh then made an immediate impact from the bench, scoring with his second touch of the game following a powerful close-range carry. Smith added another conversion.

Wigan were reduced to 12 men on 56 minutes when Brad O’Neill was sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle, but Toulouse were unable to make the numerical advantage count.

Field and French combined again on 70 minutes to put the result beyond doubt. French broke the line before chipping over the top for Field to collect and race under the posts. Smith converted.

Marshall then completed his second try of the afternoon three minutes from time with a remarkable finish in the corner, with Smith converting to make it 48-18.

Hodkinson thought he had added a second try moments later, but the video referee ruled it out for obstruction.

The result leaves Wigan second in Super League and firmly in the battle for a top-two finish, with the Warriors now two points behind Leeds and two ahead of Wakefield.

Wigan: Jai Field; Noah Hodkinson, Zach Eckersley, George O’Loughlin, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Ollie Partington, Sam Walters, Kaide Ellis. Subs: Patrick Mago, Sam Eseh, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr. 18th man: Shea O’Connor.

Tries: Eckersley (2), French, Marshall (2), Hodkinson, Eseh, Field | Goals: Smith 8/8

Toulouse: Luke Polselli; Benjamin Laguerre, Romeo Tropis, Ethan Quai-Ward, Paul Ulberg; Thomas Lacans, Cesar Rouge; Rob Butler, Brendan Hands, Lambert Belmas, Maxime Stefani, Louis Grossemy, Joe Cator. Subs: Anthony Marion, James Roumanos, AJ Wallace, Hugo Garrigues. 18th man: Victor Collin.

Tries: Ulberg, Tropis, Rouge | Goals: Rouge 3/3

Referee: Tom Grant | Attendance: 16,889