Dupont breaks Ulster hearts

Antoine Dupont’s late try ended Ulster Rugby’s quarter-final hopes as Stade Toulousain claimed a 30-23 win at Kingspan Stadium to triumph 50-49 on aggregate.

Ulster had led for much of the game thanks to Ethan McIlroy’s try double and 13 points from the boot of John Cooney, but Toulouse stayed within striking distance through scores from Thomas Ramos and Romain Ntamack.

A red card for Ulster replacement Tom O’Toole on 64 minutes proved significant as Dupont crossed 10 minutes later and Ramos converted to keep the reigning champions in the competition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqr4Hq-yNNQ

Carbery kicks Munster to victory

Munster Rugby reigned supreme in a heavyweight clash with Exeter Chiefs as a 26-10 victory at a bouncing Thomond Park saw them win 34-23 on aggregate.

Joey Carbery racked up 21 points, including a 25th minute try, as Munster kept Exeter at bay, though the visitors got over through Sam Maunder and Jacques Vermeulen.

Munster had overturned the five-point deficit from the first leg but were just four points clear on aggregate heading into the final 10 minutes, until Damian de Allende dotted down to seal their success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Vz9_NgiwE

14-man Sale see off Bristol

Sale Sharks saw Aaron Reed sent off early on but recorded a 35-29 victory at Bristol Bears to win 44-39 on aggregate.

Tries from Lood de Jager, Akker van der Merwe, Thomas Roebuck and Jono Ross did the business for Sale at Ashton Gate, with Bristol crossing through Harry Thacker, Luke Morahan (2) and Joe Joyce as they struggled to fully utilise their extra man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE6iH259cyw

Quins fightback falls short

Harlequins came close to phenomenal comeback against Montpellier Hérault Rugby, but their 33-20 win at Twickenham Stoop wasn’t enough as they went down 60-59 on aggregate.

Huw Jones, Alex Dombrandt, Joe Marchant and a Louis Lynagh double put Quins within touching distance, but Marcus Smith failed to convert Lynagh’s second try in what turned out to be a crucial miss.

Tries from Yvan Reilhac and Julien Tisseron were enough to see Montpellier progress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKZBJoOnw4c

Scintillating second legs

The other four second legs provided equal entertainment as Leinster Rugby (56-20), Stade Rochelais (31-23), Leicester Tigers (27-17) and Racing 92 (33-22) all claimed home wins as they advanced to the quarter-finals.

James Lowe scored four tries as Leinster thrashed Connacht Rugby at Aviva Stadium for an 82-41 aggregate win, while Stade Rochelais eased to a 62-36 aggregate win over Union Bordeaux-Bègles.

An impressive Leicester side powered to a 56-27 aggregate success against ASM Clermont Auvergne, with Racing 92 holding off a spirited Stade Français Paris side to triumph 55-31 over the two legs.

Round of 16 second leg results:

Leinster Rugby 56 (82) Connacht Rugby 20 (41)

Bristol Bears 29 (39) Sale Sharks 35 (44)

Harlequins 33 (59) Montpellier Hérault Rugby 20 (60)

Stade Rochelais 31 (62) Union Bordeaux-Bègles 23 (36)

Munster Rugby 26 (34) Exeter Chiefs 10 (23)

Leicester Tigers 27 (56) ASM Clermont Auvergne 17 (27)

Ulster Rugby 23 (49) Stade Toulousain 30 (50)

Racing 92 33 (55) Stade Français Paris 22 (31)

We continue our recap of a gripping Heineken Champions Cup season with a review of the Round of 16 second leg, which produced a series of thrilling contests as eight teams booked their places in the quarter-finals.