This second setback in a row, after the knockdown received in Lyon (45-11) leaves the Ile-de-France club in 8th place (47 pts), three lengths from Bayonne, 6th and virtual last qualified for the final phase.
Toulouse, for its part, has strengthened its grip on the championship and now has a nine-point lead over its runner-up, La Rochelle, and twelve over third-placed Stade Français.
Racing had not lost at Paris La Défense Arena since December 24 and a rout in the derby against Stade Français (48-10).
Under pressure, the Ciel et Blancs proved to be too approximate and too undisciplined (eleven penalties conceded, a yellow card for Eddy Ben Arous) to derail the red and black train, even deprived of its executives called to Marcoussis (Ntamack, Dupont, Ramos, Flament...) or wounded (Jelonch, Chocobares, Capuozzo...).
No matter, the Toulousains, even reworked, scored four tries, by hooker Peato Mauvaka (8th), winger Dimitri Delibes (20th, 36th) and second row Emmanuel Meafou (40th), in the first forty minutes to put an end to Ile-de-France ambitions.
Scrum-half Paul Graou (50th) added another and Ugo Mola's men thus have a fourth success in their last five matches.
Toulouse's French scrum half Paul Graou (d) goes to score a try during the match between Racing 92 and Toulouse on March 5, 2023 in Nanterre © FRANCK FIFE / AFP
As often, Racing 92 showed two faces: one, laborious and struggling in defense;
the other as playful as it is spectacular, capable of passing five tries for one of the best teams in Europe.
Those of young pillar Thomas Moukoro Abouem (55th), his first in Top 14, scrum half Antoine Gibert (60th) and winger Vinaya Habosi (67th) arrived too late.
Ten tries is a record this season, tied with the shock of the bottom of the table between Perpignan and Pau (49-29).
After two weeks of international break, Racing 92 will absolutely have to catch up with its Parisian neighbor while Toulouse will go to Castres.
© 2023 AFP