Baloucoune hat-trick at Toulouse

Rob Baloucoune scored a hat-trick of tries as Ulster Rugby capitalised on an early red card for Juan Cruz Mallía to beat Stade Toulousain 26-20 at Le Stadium.

Toulouse’s Emmanuel Meafou powered over after six minutes, but Cruz Mallía was dismissed moments later for taking out Ben Moxham in the air, and Baloucoune then crossed for his first score in the corner.

Two Thomas Ramos penalties saw reigning champions Toulouse lead at the break, but Baloucoune struck twice in the second half in addition to an Andy Warwick effort.

However, Romain Ntamack dotted down on 79 minutes and Ramos converted to ensure Ulster would only take a six-point lead into the second leg at the Kingspan Stadium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbWlrncNVl8

Montpellier blitz Quins

A first-half onslaught helped Montpellier build a 14-point lead against Harlequins ahead of a return leg at Twickenham Stoop as they beat Harlequins 40-26 at the GGL Stadium.

Zach Mercer starred as the TOP 14 side dominated the first 40 minutes, the former Bath Rugby No.8 notching a try brace to supplement scores from Gabriel N’gandebe and Cobus Reinach.

Titi Lamositele’s effort and a Paolo Garbisi penalty put Montpellier 34-0 up early in the second half, but Quins then produced a remarkable fightback to keep themselves in contention.

George Hammond, André Esterhuizen, Joe Marchant and Louis Lynagh dotted down for the visitors in the final half hour, with Montpellier only replying through two Handré Pollard penalties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZe5TZhIeoA

Trio’s slender leads

There were a series of finely-poised ties after three of the other first legs, with Leinster Rugby, Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs all taking slender leads into their respective return fixtures against Connacht Rugby, Sale Sharks and Munster Rugby.

Stade Rochelais, Racing 92 and Leicester Tigers had more breathing space after convincing wins at Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français Paris and ASM Clermont Auvergne, but their contests were by no means settled.

Round of 16 first leg results:

Connacht Rugby 21 Leinster Rugby 26

Union Bordeaux-Bègles 13 Stade Rochelais 31

Sale Sharks 9 Bristol Bears 10

Stade Toulousain 20 Ulster Rugby 26

Stade Français Paris 9 Racing 92 22

Exeter Chiefs 13 Munster Rugby 8

Montpellier Hérault Rugby 40 Harlequins 26

ASM Clermont Auvergne 10 Leicester Tigers 29

We continue our recap of a captivating Heineken Champions Cup season with a review of the Round of 16 first leg, which saw Ulster Rugby and Montpellier Hérault Rugby chalk up superb victories.