Rugby: Machenaud kicks Racing past Toulon and into semi-final with Leicester
Comments
Racing 92 booked a semi-final showdown with Leicester in the European Cup after beating Toulon in an all French quarter-final.
Having kicked the first points onto the scoreboard courtesy former New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter, Racing extended their lead when Juan Imoff intercepted and ran 40 metres to cross over in the third minute.
Charles Ollivan cancelled out Imoff’s effort when he capped off a sensational break from Josua Tuisova.
A conversion and penalty from Jonathon Pellissie brought reigning three-times champions Toulon level at the break.
After Carter suffered a thigh injury Maxime Machenaud took over the kicking for Racing and he didn’t disappoint the home fans.
He landed two penalties before Pelissie levelled matters once again but with two minutes left on the clock the 27-year old scrum-half sent his 20-metre penalty through the sticks to seal a 19-16 win for Racing and a semi-final clash with the Tigers at City Ground, Nottingham on 24 April.
The other semi-final is an all English affair as Saracens take on Wasps at Madejski Stadium, Reading.