Rugby union news: High-scoring action in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals
Four excellent games of rugby took place over the weekend in the European Challenge Cup, with each team showcasing their world-class talent.
With this year’s tournament more competitive than ever, every side was aiming to secure a place in the semi-finals, writes Sports News Blitz’s James Corrigan.
Bath vs Northampton Saints (43-41)
First and second in the Premiership faced off in a thrilling European clash, as Bath hosted Northampton Saints in the quarter-finals.
An unusual start to the game saw Bath’s No. 8 Miles Reid sent to the sin bin just two minutes after kickoff for illegally stealing the ball at the ruck and disrupting a try-scoring opportunity.
It took no more than 30 seconds for Northampton to capitalise, as Henry Pollock powered through the tackles to score the first try of the match.
Making the most of their numerical advantage, Fraser Dingwall added another try under the posts. A second successful conversion extended the Saints’ lead to 14-0 just six minutes into the game.
Despite being a man down, Bath responded well with a try from hooker Tom Dunn.
Northampton’s dominant start continued as they extended their lead through tries from Tom Lockett and Josh Kemeny.
A messy lineout was turned into a moment of brilliance by Finn Russell, who kicked the loose ball through the Saints’ defence before collecting and scoring to bring Bath back into the contest.
However, Northampton responded again through Ollie Sleightholme, who added another try.
Bath finished the half strongly, scoring through Henry Arundell and François van Wyk to close the gap.
The second half started more slowly, with the next try arriving in the 57th minute through Kepu Tuipulotu, following a yellow card to Saints lock JJ van der Mescht.
Pollock, who had impressed throughout, was shown a yellow card late on for illegal disruption at the ruck.
Bath made their advantage count as Ted Hill powered over to level the scores. Finn Russell converted to seal a dramatic 43-41 victory and book their place in the semi-finals.
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Glasgow Warriors vs Toulon (19-22)
Glasgow Warriors hosted Toulon in a tightly contested quarter-final clash.
The home side started quickly, scoring through outside centre Stafford McDowall following a well-executed lineout move.
Toulon responded almost immediately, working their way upfield before creating an overlap that allowed Gaël Dréan to score.
A yellow card was shown to blindside flanker Junior Kpoku for a lineout offence, reducing Toulon to 14 men.
Glasgow capitalised on their advantage, with an excellent pass from McDowall splitting the French side’s defence and allowing Ollie Smith to score their second try.
Despite being a man down, Toulon responded through prop Jean-Baptiste Gros, who powered over from close range.
Excellent handling from Toulon created space out wide once again, with Dréan scoring his second try of the match to make it 17-12 at half-time.
Glasgow continued their strong lineout performance in the second half, with hooker Gregor Hiddleston scoring from a driving maul.
However, a moment of brilliance from Nacho Brex saw him break through the Glasgow defence from a scrum deep inside his own half to score a crucial try.
Toulon managed the remainder of the game effectively to secure a 22-19 victory.
Leinster vs Sale Sharks (43-13)
Leinster, the last remaining Irish side in the competition, hosted Sale Sharks in this quarter-final match-up.
Ireland international Dan Sheehan opened the scoring for the home side nine minutes after kickoff.
Sale responded with a penalty from George Ford but were reduced to 14 men before the break after their No. 8 was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.
Leinster struck early in the second half, with full-back Hugo Keenan finishing out wide.
Things worsened for Sale when a TMO review in the build-up play identified a high tackle from Si McIntyre, reducing them to 13 men.
Ford added another penalty, but Leinster’s pressure proved relentless.
The home side produced some excellent attacking rugby, scoring three consecutive tries through Ryan Baird, Rieko Ioane, and Tommy O’Brien.
Sale managed a late consolation try through Alex Wills after sustained pressure in the Leinster 22.
Leinster were not finished there, however. Dan Sheehan broke from deep inside his own half before linking up with Jamie Osborne, who finished the move to seal a dominant victory and a place in the semi-finals.
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Union Bordeaux vs Stade Toulousain (30-15)
Union Bordeaux, the reigning champions, hosted Stade Toulousain in what promised to be a high-quality encounter.
The home side opened the scoring through hooker Maxime Lamothe, who crossed following a driving maul.
Toulousain responded immediately, winning the ball from the restart and working into position for fly-half Romain Ntamack to break through the defence and score.
With both sides evenly matched throughout the first half, the game could have gone either way.
That changed when Toulousain prop Dorian Aldegheri was shown a 20-minute red card following a dangerous collision.
Despite being a man down, Toulousain produced a superb counter-attacking move, with quick passing allowing Teddy Thomas to score just before half-time.
A penalty early in the second half extended Toulousain’s lead to 15-5.
However, Bordeaux responded strongly, with Matthieu Jalibert chasing his own kick to score in the corner.
With Toulousain still a man down, Antoine Dupont was also shown a yellow card for a high tackle.
Despite a valiant effort from the visitors, Bordeaux’s quality told in the end, with tries from Ben Tameifuna and Arthur Retière sealing a 30-15 victory.
The result sees Union Bordeaux continue their pursuit of retaining the European Challenge Cup title.
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