Sonny scores try as Toulon win

[lara93]

Sonny scores try as Toulon win
From correspondents in Paris, France
August 27, 2008 SONNY Bill Williams scored on his French premiership debut as Toulon opened their Top 14 rugby championship with a 22-16 win over Clermont.

The New Zealand international, who controversially walked out of the Bulldogs NRL club last month, crossed for one of Toulon's three tries as the ambitious club - back in the top flight for the first time in two years - beat last season's Top 14 runners-up.

Former New South Wales coach Ewen McKenzie also made a memorable introduction to French rugby with Stade Francais taking the early lead on the ladder after a comfortable 31-9 defeat of Dax.

Italian Sergio Parisse scored two tries as the Parisians' lopsided win ensured the best possible start for the former Wallabies star.

Montauban also claimed a handsome win over newly promoted Mont-de-Marsan 37-19.

But champions Toulouse opened their title defence with a surprise 16-11 loss at Montpellier.

Toulouse were unable to capitalise on their first-half domination with Didier Nourault's Montpellier coming out after the break to take and hold onto the lead.

Agence France-Presse

[WF2006]

ensured the best possible start for the former Wallabies star.

Star?!?!? F'n Ewen Mackenzie? Maybe my memory ain't so good

[BLR]

Star?!?!? F'n Ewen Mackenzie? Maybe my memory ain't so good

Well he played test rugby for seven years, when we didn't have a shite front row....

[TOCC]

he was quite a good international prop in his day

[Moses]

I wonder if that's how Al BaxTAH will be remembered 10 years from now..

[BLR]

I wonder if that's how Al BaxTAH will be remembered 10 years from now..

Depends, if our front row gets even worse, perhaps, if it improves, doubt it. Was McKenzie ever likened to a folding chair?