Toulouse is next tough task after Quins hold off Bordeaux in thriller

HARLEQUINS’ reward for their stunning 42-41 win in Bordeaux is a Champions Cup semi-final trip to Toulouse.

Quins delivered one of their greatest-ever results by pipping heavy home favourites Bordeaux in Saturday’s quarter-final.

Maxime Lucu missed a conversion at the death to swipe the win, but Quins were huge value for a tables-turning result.

Now Quins must face Toulouse in their home city in their first-ever Champions Cup last-four tie.

Toulouse thrashed Exeter 64-26 yesterday, flexing yet more muscle in their quest for an unprecedented sixth top-tier European crown.

Bordeaux had racked up 100 points in twice thrashing Saracens this term, while Quins had leaked 90 points in two hefty defeats to their London rivals.

All the odds were in Bordeaux’s favour, only for Quins to take the game to their hosts in typically swashbuckling fashion. Fit-again Will Porter claimed two smart scores, with Will Evans, Alex Dombrandt and Tyrone Green also crossing to add to a penalty try. Five conversions from Marcus Smith (below) ultimately edged out Lucu’s four conversions and penalty, with Bordeaux matching Quins’ six tries. Having made form count for nothing once, Quins now see no reason not to repeat the feat on May 4. “That’s the best game I’ve ever been involved in,” said Porter. “We feel like we can do something special this season, and that result just shows what we’re capable of.”

Quins’ eight-try drubbing by Sarries last month proved the most inauspicious return to action after the Six Nations break, but Quins have since downed Bath, Glasgow and now Bordeaux in succession.

Rugby director Billy Millard explained how several blunt conversations have put Quins back on track, with his side still fully in the Premiership play-offs hunt. “The great thing about this group, especially after a loss like Saracens, is that we were pretty honest with each other,” he said. “We then had a wild game against Bath and a really tough game against Glasgow. We didn’t turn up against Saracens, but we have done ever since.”