By NICK POWELL
Toulouse……………64
Tries: Ntamack 8, Willis 32, Kinghorn 48, 56; Ahki 51, 75; Dupont 58, Malia 67, 79
Conversions: Kinghorn 9, 33, 49, 53, 57; Ramos 59, 69, 76
Penalties: Kinghorn 21
Exeter Chiefs……..26
Tries: Roots 17, Wimbush 62
Conversions: Slade 18, 63
Penalties: Slade 6, 13, 29, 44
Toulouse arrange a Champions Cup semi-final in opposition to Harlequins as they scored 47 second-half factors to crush Exeter Chiefs and attain the final 4 for a sixth consecutive season.
Chiefs opened up a 16-10 lead on the half-hour mark as Ethan Roots’ attempt to 11 factors off the tee from Henry Slade replied to an early Romain Ntamack rating and a Blair Kinghorn conversion and penalty.
However England exile Jack Willis put Toulouse in entrance, and although Slade’s fourth penalty returned Exeter to a slender benefit 4 Toulouse tries in ten minutes opened up a decisive lead.
Kinghorn scored twice both facet of Pita Ahki’s strive below the posts earlier than Antoine Dupont made his mark on the sport with an outstanding end from 30 metres out.
Exeter pulled a strive again by Zach Wimbush however Toulouse added an extra three tries as Ahki accomplished his brace, in between Juan Cruz Malia turning into the third participant in crimson and black to get a double.
Kinghorn, who got here off earlier than the hour mark having scored 23 factors, stated: “The primary half was actually arduous and so they got here out pumping, however within the second half we managed to get our rugby on the sector. This place was proper behind us and it was superior.
“They’re a great staff, when they’re on high they play entrance foot rugby that’s arduous to cease, however we handled it effectively. Within the second half we got here alive.”
Exeter made a powerful begin from receiving the primary kick-off, and deservedly took the lead from the boot of Slade 5 minutes in.
However from the following restart Toulouse gained again possession, and after placing collectively a strong set of phases have been finally rewarded with Ntamack arrange on the within by Matthis Lebel.
Exeter have been exhibiting brave intent although, and following a Slade penalty that reduce the hole to at least one Peato Mauvaka was set to the sin-bin and Roots crashed over from shut vary to offer the guests a six-point cushion.
After Kinghorn halved Exeter’s lead Chiefs thought they’d opened up a two-score hole as Josh Hodge hacked the ball in the direction of Toulouse’s line after Cyril Baille knocked on in midfield, however Dafydd Jenkins additionally fumbled within the end and the hosts may clear.
Slade restored the Devonians six-point cushion, however again to a full praise Toulouse made certain they held a bonus on the break as Willis barged previous Harvey Skinner and Kinghorn transformed to place his facet in entrance by a degree.
The lead modified fingers as soon as once more as Slade slotted one other penalty, however that might be the final time Exeter could be in entrance as Kinghorn jinked his manner by to attain his facet’s third earlier than a terrific first phase-play ended with Lebel organising Akhi to walk in between the sticks.
Lovely fingers from all of Toulouse’s again three helped Kinghorn end off one other glorious strive down the appropriate hand facet, and after he transformed his substitute Thomas Ramos arrange Dupont for an additional rating moments after the restart – with Ramos offering his personal conversion to take the result in 26 factors forward of the ultimate nook.
Exeter confirmed their very own means off the primary section as Wimbush reduce a good line earlier than powering over, however Toulouse reached their half century by Malia as he offered a easy end with gamers queuing up on the appropriate for the hosts, whose relentless continuity was proving an excessive amount of to deal with for Chiefs.
Willis got here near getting his second strive after a brutal 30-yard cost up the sector, however although he was stopped simply quick by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Ahki went over because the ball was spun broad.
And Malia added a last rating on the counter to offer Toulouse the very best factors tally scored by one staff in a Champions Cup quarter-final in additional than 25 years.
Toulouse: Kinghorn; Mallia, Barassi, Ahki, Lebel; Ntamack, Dupont (c); Baille, Mauvaka, Aldegheri, Arnold, Meafou, Willis, Cros, Roumat.
Replacements: Marchand, Neti, Merkler, Flament, Brennan, Graou, Ramos, Costes, Chocobares.
Exeter: Hodge; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Devoto, Woodburn; Skinner, Cairns; Sio, Yeandle, Painter, Tuima, Jenkins (capt), Roots, Tshiunza, Vintcent.
Replacements: Innard, Southworth, Avenue, Pearson, Fisilau, Townsend, Haydon-Wooden, Wimbush.
Referee: Chris Busby (Eire)
Attendance: 18,678
For unique tales and all of the detailed rugby information you want, subscribe to The Rugby Paper web site, digital version, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.
