In a thrilling showdown at the Stoop, Harlequins found themselves on the wrong side of a rugby masterclass as they succumbed to a 47-19 defeat at the hands of French champions Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup. The match showcased some scintillating rugby action that left fans on the edge of their seats.
From the outset, Toulouse demonstrated their prowess by notching up three clinical first-half tries. The Quins, however, showed their resilience, managing to stay in the contest with tries from Andre Esterhuizen and Irne Herbst. But the relentless Toulouse onslaught continued in the second half, with four more tries adding to the visitors’ tally.
Irne Herbst was the sole contributor to Harlequins’ points in the disappointing second half, crossing the try line for his second score of the day. Toulouse, fresh off their seven-try performance against Cardiff the previous week, once again displayed a dazzling attacking showcase that left their opponents struggling to contain them.
As a result of this emphatic victory, Toulouse now lead the Pool 2 standings, edging ahead of Bath on points difference. Harlequins, who had previously stunned Racing 92 in Paris, find themselves in fourth place in the pool. They have upcoming clashes with Ulster and Cardiff in January, providing them with opportunities to bounce back.
One incident that temporarily marred the match was a head-on-head tackle by Pita Ahki on Quins’ lock Dino Lamb, leading to a 10-minute delay. Lamb was eventually carried off the pitch on a stretcher after the extended pause, while Ahki narrowly escaped a red card due to the tackle being deemed accidental.
While the outcome of this match may have been disappointing for Harlequins supporters, rugby fans were treated to an enthralling contest filled with moments of brilliance from both sides. As the Investec Champions Cup continues, it’s clear that the excitement and drama of top-level rugby are alive and well.
With more rugby action on the horizon, including upcoming fixtures in January, the Quins will be looking to regroup and come back stronger. Stay tuned for further updates on this captivating tournament.
Line-ups:
Harlequins: Green; David, Joseph, Esterhuizen, Murley; Smith, Porter; Marler, Walker, Collier, Launchbury, Lamb, Chisholm, Evans, Dombrandt (capt).
Replacements: Jibulu, Baxter, Lewis, Herbst, Cunningham-South, Care, Evans, Beard.
Toulouse: Kinghorn; Delibes, Barassi, Ahki, Lebel; Ramos, Dupont (capt); Baille, Mauvaka, Laulala, Arnold, Meafou, Cros, Jelonch, Roumat.
Replacements: Cramont, Neti, Ainu’u, Faasalele, Placines, Germain, Costes, Chocobares.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Champions Cup Rugby
Q: What was the final score of the Harlequins vs. Toulouse match in the Investec Champions Cup?
A: The final score was 47-19 in favor of Toulouse, who secured a convincing victory.
Q: How many tries did Toulouse score in the match?
A: Toulouse scored a total of seven tries during the game, showcasing their attacking prowess.
Q: Who were the standout players for Harlequins in this match?
A: Irne Herbst was a standout player for Harlequins, contributing with two tries, while Andre Esterhuizen also made an impact with a try.
Q: Why was there a delay in the first half of the match?
A: The match experienced a 10-minute delay in the first half due to a head-on-head tackle by Pita Ahki on Harlequins’ Dino Lamb. Lamb was carried off on a stretcher, and Ahki avoided a red card as the tackle was deemed accidental.
Q: What are the implications of this result for the Investec Champions Cup standings?
A: Toulouse’s victory propelled them to the top of Pool 2 in the Champions Cup standings, narrowly leading on points difference over Bath. Harlequins, despite a previous win against Racing 92, currently sit in fourth place in the pool.
Q: What’s next for Harlequins following this defeat?
A: Harlequins will have upcoming fixtures against Ulster and Cardiff in January, offering them opportunities to bounce back from this loss and improve their position in the Champions Cup pool.
More about Champions Cup Rugby
- Official Investec Champions Cup Website
- Harlequins Rugby Official Website
- Stade Toulousain (Toulouse) Official Website
- Rugby Union Weekly Podcast
2 comments
hope quins bounce back, tough game for ’em.
rugby drama at the stoop, intense match!