Wigan overpower Toulouse to keep up perfect start

Betfred Super League

Toulouse (6) 16

Tries: Ashall-Bott, penalty try, Laguerre Goals: Shorrocks 2

Wigan (18) 36

Tries: Eckersley 2, Keighran 2, French, O'Neill, Walters Goals: Keighran 4

Wigan Warriors ran in four tries in 14 minutes as they overpowered Toulouse Olympique to maintain their 100% winning start to the Super League season.

Wigan made it four wins from four against Toulouse to reopen their two-point lead at the top after Warrington Wolves won on Friday to move level with them.

Zach Eckersley and Adam Keighran each scored two tries in Wigan's first-half onslaught at the Stade Ernest-Wallon before Bevan French, Brad O'Neill and Sam Walters completed their scoring.

Super League newcomers Toulouse never gave up and their scores came from Olly Ashall-Bott, a penalty try and Benjamin Laguerre.

Wigan began like a team who had steamrollered their way to the top of Super League and opened the scoring after just eight minutes when Eckersley went over in the corner to crown a fine passing move.

Keighran powered over the line three minutes later and added the kick to make it 10-0.

Wigan were relentless and Keighran forced his way over again in the 16th minute to stretch the Warriors' lead to 14-0 before Eckerlsey went over in the corner on 22 minutes to make it 18-0.

Toulouse tried to respond and French, deputising at full-back for Jai Field, who is recovering from an appendix operation, made a try-saving tackle on Ashall-Bott.

Ashall-Bott would not be denied, though, and crossed the line after collecting Laguerre's kick on the stroke of half-time.

Toulouse tried to continue their comeback, but Wigan were just too good and French showed great strength to power over the line on 53 minutes to make it 22-6.

Toulouse refused to lie down and they were awarded a penalty try on 58 minutes when Liam Marshall tackled Ashall-Bott without the ball as he attempted to touch down. Shorrocks added the extra points to reduce Wigan's lead to 24-12.

Back came Wigan two minutes later and 20-year-old Jack Farrimond showed what a star he will be as he burst through before setting up Brad O'Neill to cross the line and increase their lead to 30-12.

Still Toulouse kept going and Laguerre went over in the left-hand corner on 66 minutes, despite French's tackle.

Man of the match Farrimond had a hand in four tries and he weaved his way through Toulouse to set up Sam Walters for Wigan's seventh try eight minutes from time.

Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet said:

"It was a brave performance. Credit to Toulouse who challenged us and posed problems. I liked our start, we needed to take it up which we did.

"There will certainly be things we look at, and technical things we could have done better, but playing here brings challenges in different ways.

"It's very early days. There will be challenges to overcome in the future, but I like the mentality of the group."

Toulouse: Ashall-Bott; Laguerre, Tropis, Rennie, Polselli; Lacans, Shorrocks; Belmas, Hands, Butler, Jussaume, Wallace, Marion.

Interchanges: Cator, Bretherton, Roumanos, Garrigues.

Wigan: French; Eckersley, Keighran, Farrell, Marshall; Farrimond, Smith; Havard, O'Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Walters, Ellis.

Interchanges: Mago, Partington, Eseh, Kerr.

Referee: Liam Rush.