Glasgow's Champions Cup Hopes Dashed by Toulon in Quarter-Final

The Glasgow Warriors' bid to reach their first-ever Investec Champions Cup semi-final was thwarted by a 22-19 defeat to RC Toulon at Scotstoun. Despite entering the game as slight favourites due to their strong home form and Toulon's domestic struggles, Franco Smith's side was edged out in a tumultuous tie that saw the three-time European champions score four tries to Glasgow's three. The loss sets up a last-four clash between Toulon and either Leinster or Sale. Glasgow was forced into a late change before kick-off when Max Williamson was ruled out, with Macenzzie Duncan taking his place on the bench. The home side took the lead after a cagey opening, with Alex Samuel securing the lineout and finding Ben Afshar, whose pass inside sent Stafford McDowall over for the first try. Toulon quickly struck back, with Scotland scrum-half Ben White's long pass picking out Jeremy Sinzelle, who moved the ball onto Gael Drean to dot down. A trademark Kyle Steyn run then carried Glasgow back into Toulon territory, but after a number of pick-and-go efforts, Sione Tuipulotu was held up just short of the line. Toulon's ill-discipline was warned by referee Karl Dickson, and at the next infringement, Junior Kpoku was shown the yellow card. Glasgow wasted no time in taking advantage of the extra man as McDowall picked out Ollie Smith with a brilliant pass, allowing the winger to dart down the line to score. The hosts soon found themselves on the back foot, and Jean-Baptiste Gros crept over the line for a converted try that knotted the scoreboard up at 12-12. Toulon then forged in front for the first time in the match, with Melvyn Jaminet passing wide to Drean, who used his pace to scorch away and inside Dan Lancaster for his second try of the tie. Glasgow started the second half on top and soon regained the lead, with the lineout maul seeming to drift into touch before Gregor Hiddleston broke off to stretch for the line. The French side then enjoyed a period of pressure close to the Glasgow line, only for the defence to stand firm before finally winning a penalty to ease the danger. Toulon did finally break through when Nacho Brex picked a gap and burst through to power all the way to the line. Warriors enjoyed one last flurry as they looked to get back in front, but their opponents forced the turnover to seal the win. In another quarter-final match, Leinster Rugby ran in six tries as they trounced Sale Sharks 43-13 to book their place in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals, where they will face the three-time champions Toulon. The Irish province got off to the perfect start at the Aviva Stadium, with hooker Dan Sheehan crashing over to score a 10th-minute try and Harry Byrne adding the conversion. 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 shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Full-back Hugo Keenan stretched Leinster's lead with a second try three minutes after the restart, and prop Simon McIntyre's yellow card for a high tackle did not aid 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.