Glasgow Warriors' bid to secure a maiden Investec Champions Cup semi-final spot was dashed as they suffered a narrow 22-19 defeat at the hands of three-time European champions RC Toulon at Scotstoun. Despite entering the match as slight favourites, courtesy of their impressive home form and Toulon's struggles in their domestic league, Franco Smith's side found themselves on the wrong end of a closely contested encounter. The visitors, who will now face Leinster in the last four, edged the match by four tries to three.
Glasgow were forced to make a late change prior to kick-off, with Macenzzie Duncan replacing the injured Max Williamson on the bench. The home side drew first blood following a tense opening, with Toulon conceding a string of penalties within their own 22. Alex Samuel secured the lineout before offloading to Ben Afshar, who in turn fed Stafford McDowall for the opening try.
Toulon responded swiftly, however, as a long pass from Ben White picked out Jeremy Sinzelle, who then released Gael Drean to touch down. A trademark run from Kyle Steyn subsequently carried Glasgow back into Toulon territory, but the hosts were unable to capitalise on their momentum, with Sione Tuipulotu being held up just short of the line.
Toulon's ill-discipline eventually caught up with them, as Junior Kpoku was sin-binned following a warning from referee Karl Dickson. Glasgow promptly exploited the numerical advantage, with McDowall delivering a superb pass to Ollie Smith, who darted down the line to score. The hosts soon found themselves under pressure, though, as Jean-Baptiste Gros crept over the line for a converted try, knotting the score at 12-12. Toulon then assumed the lead for the first time, with Melvyn Jaminet passing wide to Drean, who used his pace to score his second try of the match.
Glasgow regained the initiative at the start of the second half, with Gregor Hiddleston breaking off a lineout maul to stretch for the line. The French side subsequently enjoyed a period of pressure close to the Glasgow line, only for the defence to stand firm before finally winning a penalty to alleviate the danger. Toulon eventually broke through when Nacho Brex picked a gap and burst through to power all the way to the line. Warriors mustered one final surge in a bid to reclaim the lead, but their opponents forced the turnover to seal the victory.
In another quarter-final match, Leinster Rugby secured a convincing 43-13 win over Sale Sharks to book their place in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals, where they will face Toulon. The Irish province got off to a perfect start at the Aviva Stadium, with hooker Dan Sheehan crashing over to score a 10th-minute try, which Harry Byrne converted.
Sharks reduced the deficit six minutes before the break with a penalty from England fly-half George Ford, but they were down to 14 men with four minutes left on the clock when number eight Dan du Preez was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. Full-back Hugo Keenan extended Leinster's lead with a second try three minutes after the restart, and prop Simon McIntyre's yellow card for a high tackle further hindered Sale's cause, despite a second Ford penalty. Flanker Ryan Baird crossed for a third try for the hosts, and wingers Rieko Ioane and Tommy O'Brien followed suit, with Byrne adding the conversions. Sale replacement Alex Willis touched down in the corner, and Ford obliged with the extras, but a Byrne penalty and a converted Jamie Osborne try wrapped up a convincing win for Leinster.