Toulouse add to Clemont's Euro misery
MATCH REPORT: Toulouse booked a Champions Cup semi-final spot with a 21-12 win over ASM Clermont Auvergne on Sunday at Stade Marcel-Michelin.
* To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!
Toulouse flyhalf Romain Ntamack kicked all of his side’s points as they claimed an away success over ASM Clermont Auvergne to secure a spot in the Champions Cup semi-finals for the third successive season.
The four-time European champions pulled away in the final 20 minutes as Clermont’s lack of discipline proved costly, allowing Ntamack to send his side into the last four with a string of accurate penalty kicks.
Ntamack didn’t start at his precise best though, missing two kicks whilst his opposite kicker, Morgan Parra, made no mistake to nudge Clermont six points ahead.
In a tactical opening 40 minutes, Toulouse edged their way back into proceedings and ended up level at the break courtesy of a pair of penalty kicks, with attacking opportunities at a premium.
At a rainy Stade Marcel-Michelin, the two sides again battled for territory and remained locked in a tight affair until the hour mark as the two kickers both slotted penalty kicks to leave us at 12-12.
But it was at that point that Toulouse took control, taking advantage of a powerful scrum and Clermont indiscipline to move three, six and then nine points ahead from the kicking tee.
Parra would have the chance to move Clermont back within a score on 77 minutes, but he hooked a kick badly wide in the last meaningful action of the last eight clash.
Toulouse will host Bordeaux-Begles in their Champions Cup semi-final in three weeks’ time.
Following the draws for the semi-final matches in the 2020/21 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup which were held on Sunday, April 11, EPCR confirmed the high-profile fixtures.
La Rochelle will face Leinster Rugby at Stade Marcel Deflandre while Toulouse take on Bordeaux-Bègles at Stade Ernest Wallon.
In the Challenge Cup Leicester Tigers will lock horns against Ulster Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and Bath Rugby face Montpellier at The Recreation Ground.
The matches will be played on the weekend of 30 April-1/2 May and the exact dates, kick-off times and TV coverage will be announced shortly. The countries and venues for this season’s finals will be decided by EPCR at a later date
The scorers:
For Clermont Auvergne:
Pens: Parra 4
For Toulouse:
Pens: Ntamack 7
Teams
ASM Clermont Auvergne: 15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 George Moala, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Camille Lopez (captain), 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Alexandre Fischer, 6 Judicaël Cancoriet, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 4 Peceli Yato, 3 Cristian Ojovan, 2 Adrien Pélissié, 1 Peni Ravai.
Replacements: 16 Etienne Fourcade, 17 Daniel Bibi Biziwu, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Thibaud Lanen, 21 Arthur Iturria, 22 Sébastien Bézy, 23 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Toulouse: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Zack Holmes, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Matthis Lebel, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Francois Cros, 6 Selevasio Tolofua, 5 Richie Arnold, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Julien Marchand (captain), 1 Cyril Baille.
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Clément Castets, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Joe Tekori, 20 Thibaud Flament, 21 Alban Placines, 22 Baptiste Germain, 23 Yoann Huget.
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre (France), Jonathan Dufort (France)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)