Super League: Toulouse 18-32 Warrington - Wire's six tries beat improving French

Josh Charnley's double in Toulouse took him to 201 Super League tries, the third best since the competition began in 1996, bettered now only by Danny McGuire (247) and Ryan Hall (212)

Super League newcomers Toulouse suffered a third straight loss but were boosted by their second-half showing as they lost by 14 points to Warrington.

Toby King and Josh Charnley each scored two Wire tries and George Williams and Daryl Clark crossed too.

But, after trailing 16-2 at the break, the promoted French side rallied.

Olly Ashall-Bott, Romain Navarrete and Maxime Stefani all went over after the break to help Toulouse score three tries for the second home game running.

Chris Hankinson added two conversions to his first-half penalty to help his side draw the second half 16-16.

Victory for Daryl Powell's Warrington's matches champions St Helens and Wigan as the only other two teams to have won all of their opening three fixtures.

Wire also have French opposition for their next fixture, with last season's table toppers Catalans Dragons visiting the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday.

Although hampered by the absence of star half-back Gareth Widdop, who had to pull out for Covid-related issues, new boss Powell will need an improved performance after being made to work hard by winless Toulouse, who at least lowered their margin of defeat for a second game running - from 28 points by Huddersfield on their opening night, to 26 by Salford and now just 14.

Jason Clark was part of a dominant Warrington first-half performance in Toulouse

Williams was involved in both Wire's first two tries, chipping over the defence in the eighth minute for King to score before he and Stefan Ratchford created the space for winger Charnley to cross in the left corner in the 20th minute - his 200th Super League try.

Then it was King who struck for his second try just before half-time to make it 16-2, before Peter Mata'utia intercepted a pass and released Williams for an 80-metre sprint for try number four.

Home debutant Ashall-Bott, signed from Huddersfield in midweek, then sidestepped before a 30-metre dash to the line, allowing Hankinson to convert and make it 22-8.

But although Charnley quickly got his second try following fast hands from Williams, and Clark went in from close range to score by the posts, the hosts finished strongly to give coach Sylvain Houles heart.

Prop Navarrette crashed over six minutes from time, then Ashall-Bott set off on an 80-metre run which led to a try in the right corner for his fellow debutant, second-rower Stefani.

Toulouse now face their next home test against Wigan next Saturday, when they will have three ex-Warriors players, Navarrette, Hankinson and Matty Russell, up against their old club.

Toulouse coach Sylvain Houles:

"It's been well documented that we've been through a tough period. It takes time to rebuild but we could see a huge improvement.

"It's a mixed feeling because we missed a few opportunities when the game was in the balance but it's only our third game in Super League and if we can keep learning like that we will improve every week.

"It's incredible what Olly Ashall-Bott did. He only arrived on Thursday. He probably doesn't know the names of half of the team yet but he performed like that. He was incredible. He has speed to burn and that will be a huge asset for us."

Warrington coach Daryl Powell:

"You have to give credit to Toulouse. They fought to the end. They came after us with real intent and we had to scramble to keep them out..

"But we need to be a whole lot better. We were scratchy. We lacked energy. We need to find another level. We need a few more gears in the coming weeks. We were way off the standard we need.

"We've won and we're three from three but I'd have hoped for us to take a step forward and we've taken a couple of steps backwards. We need to find out the reasons why. But we've got players coming back next week which will obviously help."

Toulouse: Ashall-Bott; Marcon, Armitage, Hankinson, Russell; Gigot, Albert; Bretherton, Dixon, Stefani, Navarrete, White, Garbutt.

Interchange: Pelissier, Puech, Sangare, Marion.

Warrington: Ratchford; Charnley, Mata'utia, King, Ashton; Dean, Williams; Philbin, Walker, Mulhern, Longstaff, Hughes, J Clark.

Interchange: Cooper, D Clark, Bullock, Davis.

Referee: Chris Kendall.

Attendance: 4,887.

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