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Harlequins thrashed by seven-try Toulouse in Investec Champions Cup

By PA
Harlequins v Stade Toulousain – Investec Champions Cup – Twickenham Stoop

Harlequins failed in their bid to record successive wins against French opposition as their Investec Champions Cup campaign stalled with a 47-19 mauling by Toulouse.

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A scrappy, disjointed match at The Stoop fell short of expectations but the Top 14 champions, led by Antoine Dupont, at least produced moments of genius in their seven tries that included two for centre Pierre-Louis Barassi.

Quins proved willing victims at times, their exploits in toppling Racing 92 31-29 in Paris a week earlier a distant memory as their line was breached time and again through a combination of their own defensive shortcomings and Toulouse’s class.

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The match was stopped for 10 minutes to allow second row Dino Lamb to receive medical attention after he had been knocked out by a clash of heads with Pita Ahki and he was eventually carried from the pitch on a stretcher.

His replacement Irne Herbst scored a try in each half, accompanying Andre Esterhuizen’s earlier touch down, but Quins needed to be at their best to topple the five-time European champions and they were several rungs below that level.

Their frustration in a match that lasted over two hours was summed up by the misfiring Marcus Smith and the England playmaker signposted his struggle to come early by kicking dead an early penalty intended for a short-range line-out.

The error count from both sides was already racking up and it was off scraps that Toulouse engineered the opening try, Ahki using his footwork and a dummy to send centre partner Barassi over under the posts.

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Match Summary

0
Penalty Goals
0
3
Tries
7
2
Conversions
6
0
Drop Goals
0
148
Carries
139
7
Line Breaks
12
15
Turnovers Lost
18
4
Turnovers Won
7

Harlequins replied when Esterhuizen bulldozed through a non-existent defence but Toulouse’s next attack was razor sharp, presenting Dimitri Delibes with a simple run-in.

Lamb was carried from the pitch on a stretcher following a tackle by Ahki that resulted in a yellow card for the Tonga midfielder.

The sheer volume of mistakes continued to affect both sides and a lapse in the home defence almost invited Delibes for a second try but the wing was then alive to a well-worked chance down the right that was finished by hooker Peato Mauvaka.

Quins’ erratic play took another turn as, having allowed Mauvaka to break through with little resistance, they bulldozed into the 22 with Alex Dombrandt sending Herbst over.

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An exchange of tries between Matthis Lebel and Herbst, both scored off line-outs, keep the contest open during the third quarter but in the 51st minute Toulouse slammed the door shut with a sublime score.

Harlequins Toulouse
Press Association

Full-back Blair Kinghorn launched the counter attack off Esterhuizen’s kick from just outside the 22 and, once Dupont arrived to inject some magic, the path was clear for an accelerating Barassi to sprint over.

Even with their history of conjuring extraordinary fightbacks it looked bleak for Quins and the out-of-sorts Smith continued to swim against the tide when he was on the receiving end of a borderline tackle by Emmanuel Meafou.

Next over was replacement prop Rodrigue Neti and, seeing Quins had thrown in the towel, Thomas Ramos added a seventh that showcased Toulouse’s brilliance in attack.

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R
RedWarrior 40 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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