Toulouse and La Rochelle will be the only two French representatives in the quarter-finals after the elimination of MHR on Sunday at Exeter.
After the qualification of La Rochelle against Gloucester on Saturday (29-26), two other French clubs were on deck in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup, Sunday April 2. Toulouse ensured against the Bulls (33-9), while Montpellier were eliminated at Exeter despite their draw (33-33).
Toulouse accelerated
Muzzled for 50 minutes (12-6 at that time), Stade Toulouse took the Bulls by the horns to offer themselves a river success at the Stadium (33-9). The Rouge et Noir broke away from the South African province by scoring three tries by Emmanuel Meafou, Matthis Lebel and Thibaud Flament.
Qualified for the quarterfinals, the Haut-Garonnais will find another formation of the rainbow nation, the Sharks, trained by Yannick Bru and composed of many Springboks. The only downside, Toulouse lost its hooker Julien Marchand, hit in the ankle. “It seems like a nice sprain”regretted his coach Ugo Mola after the meeting, at a press conference.
Montpellier went up in flames… for nothing
On alternating current in the league, Montpellier offered constant resistance to Exeter, European champion in 2020. Reduced to fourteen after the controversial expulsion of Zach Mercer (50th), the MHR hung on and pushed the English in overtime. Alas, he fell there without losing, eliminated after having scored fewer tries than his opponent when the score was zero (33-33, 4 tries to 5).
The Cistes suffered a final fatal test, after 102 minutes of an intense fight. “We leave chewed up, exhausted, disappointed but at the same time proud, it’s a shared feeling”analyzed left prop Enzo Forletta after the fact for The Team.
The quarter posters
Only two tricolor formations are there at the end of these round of 16, the lowest total at this stage since 2018-19. Toulouse will receive sharp-toothed Sharks, while La Rochelle will have a hard time facing Saracens. Note the presence of three English teams, the highest contingent ahead of France and South Africa.
Leicester – Leinster
Toulouse -Sharks
La Rochelle -Saracens
Exeter-Stormers