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Toulouse survive Champions Cup scare as last-gasp penalty seals win over Toulon
By Ian Cameron
Toulouse edged a tense Investec Champions Cup quarter-final with a 21–18 victory over Toulon at Stade Mayol, booking a last-four clash with Bordeaux-Bègles.
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A Thomas Ramos penalty in the final minute proved decisive, capping a fiercely contested encounter in which both sides struggled for fluency but traded blows in a tight second half. Ramos, who had earlier set up a try and added eight points with the boot, kept his composure late on after missing a kick just moments earlier.
Toulon led for much of the first half through four penalties from Melvyn Jaminet, before a yellow card to Toulon’s Baptiste Serin early in the second half shifted momentum.
Toulouse struck through Jack Willis from close range before centre Pita Ahki crossed minutes later after a clean break from Ramos.
Jaminet levelled the match at 18–18 with back-to-back penalties heading into the final quarter, but the hosts couldn’t capitalise on a number of opportunities late on.
With the possinility of extra time looming, a penalty from France international Ramos in the 80th minute sealed the deal in the most dramatic of fashion.
The result sets up an all-Top 14 semi-final with Bordeaux, who eliminated Munster earlier in the weekend.
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RC Toulon
15. Melvyn Jaminet, 14. Gaël Drean, 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. Jérémy Sinzelle, 11. Gabin Villiere, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Baptiste Serin, 1. Dany Priso, 2. Teddy Baubigny, 3. Beka Gigashvili, 4. David Ribbans (c), 5. Brian Alainu’uese, 6. Lewis Ludlam, 7. Esteban Abadie, 8. Facundo Isa
Replacements:16. Mickael Ivaldi, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Emerick Setiano, 19. Swan Rebbadj, 20. Matteo le Corvec, 21. Ben White, 22. Marius Domon, 23. Selevasio Tolofua
Toulouse
Stade Toulousain
15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Juan-Cruz Mallia, 13. Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12. Pita Ahki, 11. Blair Kinghorn, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Paul Graou, 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand (c), 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Emmanuel Meafou, 6. François Cros, 7. Jack Willis, 8. Alexandre Roumat
Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Joel Merkler, 19. Clement Verge, 20. Anthony Jelonch, 21. Naoto Saito, 22. Paul Costes, 23. Matthis Lebel
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