Toulouse 42 Stade Francais 16:Toulouse offered an impressive combination of power and style to crush French rivals Stade Francais 42-16 this afternoon and set-up a Heineken Cup semi-final clash against holders Leinster.
Toulouse, who had humbled Stade Francais 29-0 in the French championship last month, did it again, this time on the European stage, stepping up a few gears after a tight first half.
A try by centre Yannick Jauzion converted by outhalf David Skrela, who also added two penalties, gave Toulouse a slim 13-10 lead before a 32,000 home crowd at the interval.
Stade Francais mounted a brave challenge at first, scoring the first try of the match through powerful Argentine prop Rodrigo Roncero and number 10 Lionel Beauxis giving the Parisians five points in the first half from a conversion and a penalty.
The second half, however, was totally one-sided, the visitors managing just two Beauxis penalties while Toulouse ran in two more tries, by lock Patricio Albacete and wing Cedric Heymans, and scored 19 more points from Skrela's accurate boot.
Toulouse will next host Leinster, who advanced with a 29-28 win over French side Clermont on Friday. Leinster's Irish rivals Munster will visit French side Biarritz in the other semi-final.
Details of the semi-final were also announced this evening with Toulouse to host Leinster at Le Stadium on Saturday, May 1st (4.45pm local time). Biarritz host Munster at Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian on Sunday, May 2nd (4:15pm local time).
Heineken Cup Details
Semi-finals
Saturday, May 1st
Toulouse v Leinster 4:45pm (local time)
Le Stadium, Toulouse
Sunday, May 2nd
Biarritz Olympique v Munster 4:15pm (local time)
Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian
15th Heineken Cup final
Saturday, May 22nd
Stade de France, Paris 6pm (local time)