Wigan Warriors are the “benchmark” says Toulouse Olympique boss after home defeat

Toulouse Olympique boss Sylvain Houles gave his honest verdict after defeat to Wigan Warriors on Saturday evening.

The French side were beaten 36-16 on home turf, as try doubles from Zach Eckersley and Adam Keighran helped Wigan extend their lead at the top of the table.

Houles’ men were awarded a penalty try in the second half, the first of the season, as Olly Ashall-Bott was deemed to have been professionally fouled by Liam Marshall as he tried to take in a kick.

However, that wouldn’t be enough to forge any sort of comeback, and after being 16-0 down with 15 minutes played, their start to the contest came back to haunt them.

Giving his post-match verdict to Sky Sports, Houles believes it was the opening 40 that decided the game, though his men did improve as the game went on.

He revealed: “We gave them quite a lot [of territory] in the first half, so we had a bit of catch-up to do.

“We came up with a bit of a plan, and I thought the boys, especially offensively, asked a lot of questions to that Wigan defence. We know how robust and strong they can be, and they showed it today.

“Obviously, it’s a good level to have played at, and I think for the boys it’s a good standard to look at. At the moment Wigan are the benchmark, and they showed it today.

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Toulouse Olympique boss “enjoying every second” of Super League journey

Toulouse have won two of their first four Super League games, as have both Bradford Bulls and York Knights.

Plenty of eyebrows were raised when three sides were said to be making the move up to the top flight, but each one has more than proved their worth, despite being only a month into the new campaign.

Reflecting on how his side have faired so far, Houles explained: It’s so good to be back in the Super League.

“Two [wins] from four, we would have signed that, at the beginning of the season. I think the club is doing a tremendous job, I thought the atmosphere today was fantastic, we played some great rugby.

“As I said to you guys a little bit before, I want us to bring something different to the Super League, and I think we’re on our way there.

“I hope everyone is enjoying that, as we certainly do, we love being part of the Super League and the Super League journey, so we want to enjoy every second of it.”