LAST UPDATE | 8 Apr 2023
TOULOUSE RAN IN seven tries to brush aside South African side Sharks 54-20 and reach the Champions Cup semi-finals for a fifth straight season on Saturday.
The record five-time winners will face Leinster in the last four in a rematch of the Irish province’s victory at the same stage of the competition last year.
“We’re going to enjoy this evening and quickly refocus on the Top 14,” said Toulouse coach Ugo Mola.
“To beat the best team in Europe (Leinster), we’ll have to show control, discipline and a bit of magic.”
Toulouse led 14-10 after a hard-fought first half which saw Grant Williams touch down to put Sharks seven points ahead before the hosts hit back through Juan Cruz Mallia’s try.
Thomas Ramos scored eight minutes after the break and converted himself.
Boeta Chamberlain’s try kept Sharks in the contest although Mallia’s second try helped Toulouse into a 26-20 advantage with 11 minutes remaining.
But France full-back Ramos later scored another try and finished with 29 points as Toulouse ran away with the match.
Peato Mauvaka, Arthur Retiere and Romain Ntamack all also dotted down late on to punish a tired Sharks.
“Looking at the match as a whole, perhaps the score was very heavy at the end for Sharks,” said Mola. “To beat this team, we needed a great Toulouse.”
The French giants will face Leinster for a place in the final after their 55-24 hammering of Leicester on Friday.
Later Saturday, Exeter cruised past Stormers 42-17 at Sandy Park to end South African participation in the tournament.
Exeter will face the winners of Sunday’s meeting between holders La Rochelle and Saracens in the semis.
The English team made a brilliant start to all but put the tie to bed early on, scoring three first-half tries through Tom Wyatt, Jack Nowell and Olly Woodburn.
Sam Simmonds added another in the 46th minute, although Damian Willemse finally got Stormers on the scoresheet shortly afterwards.
Jack Yeandle and Tom Cairns scored late tries as Exeter romped into the last four despite a late rally from Stormers.
Fly-half Joe Simmonds converted all six tries for the 2020 winners.
