Kinghorn helps ease Toulouse into Champions Cup quarter-final
Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn helped Toulouse set up a quarter-final clash against exeter in the Investec Champions Cup thanks to a 31-7 demolition of French rivals Racing 92.
First-half scores from Peato Mauvaka and Matthis Lebel put the hosts 10-0 ahead at the break in the last-16 tie at Stade Ernest-wallon. Paul Costes and Pita Ahki crossed to give
Toulouse complete control before Racing finally got on the scoresheet six minutes from time through Eddy Ben Arous’ consolation try, which was converted by Tristan Tedder. Alexandre Roumat touched down at the death to complete the rout, with Kinghorn landing his final three conversion attempts after missing the first two and a penalty.
Earlier in the day, Northampton stormed into the quarterfinals after two tries by George Hendy broke Munster’s resist
ance in a 24-14 victory at Franklin’s Gardens. Hendy, Saints’ 21-year-old replacement wing, crossed twice in the final quarter of a gripping round-of-16 encounter fought out by the Gallagher Premiership’s leaders and current holders of the
United Rugby Championship crown.
Northampton edged their humdinger of a group clash in January and this rematch of the 2000 final was every bit as dramatic despite the swirling winds that made kicking and patrolling the backfield tricky. Saints missed injured full-back George Furbank, one of their most effective attacking weapons this season, while another influential England star Alex Mitchell was limited to a supporting role off the bench.
Northampton join Premiership rivals Harlequins and Exeter in next weekend’s quarter-finals where they will host South African side the Bulls, having proved their mettle and attacking class against Munster.
Investec Champions Cup quarter-final draw and dates: Bordeaux Begles v Harlequins (Saturday April 13, 3pm); Leinster v La Rochelle (Saturday April 13, 5.30pm); Northampton Saints v Bulls (Saturday April 13, 8pm); Toulouse v Exeter (Sunday April 14, 3pm).