France: Cannes Iron Mask grind out defensive win against Toulouse Ours in season opener

The Cannes Iron Mask, 2025 finalists, opened their 2026 French D1 Elite campaign with a hard-fought 15–7 road victory over the Toulouse Ours, using a stifling defense and timely scoring to overcome a gritty performance from the home side in a physical South Division showdown.

Defensive battle sets the tone
The first quarter featured scoreless, possession-heavy football as both defenses controlled the line of scrimmage. Cannes broke through early in the second quarter with a field goal, then capitalized on a forced fumble by the defense. Quarterback Conor Miller immediately connected with receiver Julien Vast for a touchdown, giving the Iron Mask a 10–0 halftime advantage that reflected their defensive dominance.

Toulouse rallies before safety seals it
The Ours found life in the fourth quarter when quarterback Nathan Coutellec hit Killian Heraud for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 13-7. But Cannes leaned on their ground game and clock management to protect the lead. The Iron Mask defense ultimately sealed the win by forcing a safety in the final minutes, accounting for the final margin in a game where every point proved critical.

This defensive slugfest reinforces Cannes’ status as Southern contenders while showing Toulouse remains a tough out despite the loss. Both teams demonstrated playoff-caliber defense, setting up an intriguing rematch later this season.