Castleford Tigers 32-6 Toulouse Olympique: Highlights, player ratings & talking points

Castleford Tigers took on Toulouse Olympique tonight at the Jungle with both sides having won just one game in Super League in 2022 so far.

The Tigers were in complete control for all of the game, racing into a 20-0 half-time lead before coming up with another two tries in the second forty minutes.

Toulouse managed to reply with a Tony Gigot effort with a minute left, but they were well beaten.

Highlights

Jake Mamo scything through the Toulouse defence for his try was poetry in motion.

Liam Watts dummied like a young halfback to dot down much to the joy of the Castleford fans.

Tony Gigot’s 40/20 late in the game was a beautiful kick.

Talking points

1. Castleford click

That’s it. Castleford were fluent and devastating whilst their defence – which was the worst in Super League before this game – kept Toulouse out for 78 minutes. The Tigers gave good ball to their edges with the likes of Jordan Turner and Jake Mamo enjoying stellar games.

2. Toulouse never stopped

Credit to Toulouse, they were outclassed but were stubborn in defeat. Not once did they stop trying and it was a testament to their hard work to finally get a try in the last minute. The French side will shock a few this season, but maybe not on the road in front of no away fans.

3. How has Olly Ashall-Bott not been snapped up sooner?

He really is that good. Ashall-Bott hasn’t really settled at a Super League side yet with spells at Salford Red Devils, Wakefield Trinity and Huddersfield Giants not giving him too many chances. However, he has really settled in Toulouse and looked dangerous all evening.

Player ratings

Castleford Tigers

1 Niall Evalds – 8
5 Bureta Faraimo – 9
4 Jake Mamo – 8
3 Jordan Turner – 8
23 Greg Eden – 8
6 Jake Trueman – 7
31 Gareth O’Brien – 8
15 George Griffin – 7
9 Paul McShane – 8
14 Nathan Massey – 7
11 Kenny Edwards – 7
10 George Lawler – 7
13 Joe Westerman – 8
Substitutes
8 Liam Watts – 9
12 Adam Milner – 8
17 Mahe Fonua – 7
25 Suaia Matagi – 8

Toulouse Olympique

27 Olly Ashall-Bott – 9
5 Paul Marcon – 7
24 Guy Armitage – 8
21 Chris Hankinson – 7
25 Matty Russell – 7
31 Tony Gigot – 7
7 Lucas Albert – 6
8 Romain Navarrete – 8
13 Anthony Marion – 7
23 Justin Sangare – 7
11 Andrew Dixon – 7
12 Dominique Peyroux – 7
17 Joseph Paulo – 7
Substitutes
14 Eloi Pelissier – 8
15 Maxime Puech – 6
18 Mitch Garbutt – 6
19 James Cunningham – 6