Reigning champions Bordeaux made essentially the most of two expensive playing cards for Toulouse to beat their French rivals and arrange a Champions Cup semi-final towards Prem holders Tub.
Six-time champions Toulouse regarded on high within the first half, however Dorian Aldegheri acquired a 20-minute pink card and inspirational captain Antoine Dupont was sin-binned, and the hosts took benefit in a compelling battle.
These two groups contributed 24 gamers to the France squad which received the Six Nations and – whereas the sport supplied fewer tries than many anticipated – the motion was relentless.
Arthur Retiere’s strive with six minutes left lastly ended the competition and retains Bordeaux’s hopes of retaining the trophy alive.
French golf equipment have received every of the previous 5 editions of the competitors, with Exeter Chiefs’ win in 2020 the latest success by a workforce from outdoors France.
Given the galaxy of stars on show the opening quarter noticed a shocking lack of tries. Tub and Northampton shared 9 within the first half on Friday however defences had been on high in a tremendously disciplined opening at Stade Chaban Delmas.
Toulouse dominated early possession and territory however had been shut out by some dogged resistance from the hosts and had been punished as Bordeaux scored with their first actual assault 23 minutes in when a line-out was mauled over the road by hooker Maxime Lamothe.
From the restart Toulouse received a turnover and Jack Willis carried right down to the road, earlier than fast palms despatched fly-half Romain Ntamack in to attain and Thomas Ramos’ conversion put the guests in entrance.
Toulouse had been lowered to 14 males for 20 minutes earlier than the break as prop Aldegheri charged Damian Penaud along with his shoulder, however they then immediately scored to stretch their half-time result in 12-5 as wing Teddy Thomas discovered house out extensive to gallop in untouched.
Bordeaux wanted to make their numerical benefit rely after the restart however conceded a penalty inside 30 seconds which allowed Ramos to kick Toulouse additional forward.
From there on in although, it was one-way visitors.
France fly-half Matthieu Jalibert scored from his personal kick by means of to deliver Bordeaux again to inside three factors with greater than 10 minutes left on the pink card.
The sport was way more open as either side drained and Dupont was then proven a yellow card for a visit as he tried to make a determined sort out within the nook, and Toulouse momentarily went right down to 13 males.
Bordeaux made it rely with a drive from their forwards and Ben Tameifuna piled over to place them forward, with Maxime Lucu kicking a penalty to open up a seven-point lead earlier than Toulouse had been restored to fifteen gamers for the ultimate 10 minutes.
But it surely was Bordeaux who cranked up the stress late on and, after some last-ditch defending shut out the forwards, alternative again Retiere discovered house out extensive to attain an important fourth strive.
