Holders Bordeaux see off Toulouse to set up Bath semi-final

Investec Champions Cup quarter-final

Bordeaux Bègles (5) 30

Tries: Lamothe, Jalibert, Tameifuna, Retiere Cons: Lucu 2 Pens: Lucu 2

Toulouse (12) 15

Tries: Ntamack, Thomas Con: Ramos Pen: Ramos

Reigning champions Bordeaux made the most of two costly cards for Toulouse to beat their French rivals and set up a Champions Cup semi-final against Prem holders Bath.

Six-time champions Toulouse looked on top in the first half, but Dorian Aldegheri received a 20-minute red card and inspirational captain Antoine Dupont was sin-binned, and the hosts took advantage in a compelling battle.

These two teams contributed 24 players to the France squad which won the Six Nations and – while the game provided fewer tries than many anticipated – the action was relentless.

Arthur Retiere’s try with six minutes left finally ended the contest and keeps Bordeaux’s hopes of retaining the trophy alive.

French clubs have won each of the past five editions of the competition, with Exeter Chiefs’ win in 2020 the most recent success by a team from outside France.

More to follow

Bordeaux: Rayasi; Uberti, Penaud, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Lucu; Poirot, Lamothe, Sadie, Palu, Coleman, Bochaton, Woki, Gazzotti.

Replacements: Barlot, Perchaud, Tameifuna, Jacobs, Vergnes-Taillefer, Matiu, Retiere, Reus.

Toulouse: Ramos; Thomas, Gourgues, Chocobares, Lebel; Ntamack, Dupont; Ainu’u, Mauvaka, Aldegheri, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Willis, Jelonch.

Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Merkler, Brennan, Banos, Ntamack, Graou, Kinghorn.

Sin bin: Aldegheri (37 mins), Dupont (56 mins)

Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)

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