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Scottish clubs make Champions Cup history

Edinburgh and Scotland's Darcy Graham. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Edinburgh sealed a home European Champions Cup quarter-final and top spot in Pool 5 by beating Montpellier 19-10 – a result which also sent Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92 and Leinster into the last eight.

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Jaco van der Walt’s boot opened up a nine-point lead for Edinburgh but a first-half try from Jacques du Plessis, followed by Ruan Pienaar’s penalty had the Top 14 club ahead in the Scottish capital.

Yet Edinburgh’s lead was restored by Van der Walt’s fourth successful three-pointer and Darcy Graham went over in the 61st minute and gave them another nine-point advantage they did not relinquish.

The result means Edinburgh will play a last-eight tie for the first time since 2012, while Glasgow also benefitted from their rivals’ result as it meant they – along with Racing and Leinster – are now guaranteed one of the best runners-up spots.

It is the first time in the competition’s history that both Scottish clubs have made it through to the quarter-finals, with Edinburgh winning a seventh straight game in all competitions.

Both other teams in Pool 5 – Toulon and Newcastle Falcons had already been eliminated – but the former grabbed a consolation victory as Bastien Soury ran in a match-winning try seven minutes from time.

With 10 minutes to go, Toulon looked to be cruising to victory when 20-10 ahead but Newcastle dramatically turned the game on its head as Nemani Nagusa and Micky Young each went in in the space of two minutes.

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Yet replacement hooker Soury dotted down in the right corner to ensure it was Toulon who claimed the win.

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J
Jfp123 2 hours ago
Are Bordeaux-Begles, not Toulouse, the future of French rugby?

Really, do you really mean that? I guess you’re a supporter of UBB. Jalibert

1) doesn’t play well with France’s best 9

2) has an approx 50% tackle success rate this year at int. and club level, Rassie would be rubbing his hands with glee as he plots to exploit that!

3) is another player his teammates would have to cover for in defence, when they already have Penaud, and arguably, Ramos under the high ball, to cope with, unless you’re proposing to drop Penaud. Whereas in attack France were scoring with or without him in the last 6 nations, 200 points when he wasn’t on the pitch so why do they need him?

3) plays at 10 only, so rules out the v successful 7/1 bench when he’s playing

4) has a questionable temperament, see WC 1/4 final

5) has a v poor record in a great team at int. level. In his last 5 matches, loss v SA, heavy loss v Ireland, win by highly controversial try v Scotland, draw v Italy, loss v England.


Whereas Ntamack and Ramos both play fabulously with Dupont and Ntamack adapted seamlessly when Lucu took over from Dupont v Ireland; Ntamack has a v high tackle success rate, tackles more often and jackals; Ntamack 10 and 12 internationally, Ramos 10 and 15 - both have played with 7/1 bench; both Ntamack and Ramos superb big match temperament, scoring when it counts; France has been flying high when they’re playing.


If Jalibert played for a nation struggling to score with a strong defence, he might be worth a pick, but he plays for France.

Also, lately I’m wondering if he’s quite so effective in attack as some people seem to believe. He is certainly good and has the flashy moves, but look at the Top14 stats, they suggest his game management isn’t quite what it should be. If I’m picking a fantasy team I sink my money on the wings, as they score most. Jalibert is playing with the two top wings in France, arguably the world, his scrum half is France’s best with Dupont injured for most of the season, the other backs and the forwards are all top class, but that isn’t reflected in the stats. Points for ST 891, UBB 762; Points ag ST 462, UBB 609; points diff 429 v 153, and that’s when for much of the season, the ST player in the crucial 9 position, with the best will in the world is pretty average, and can’t be rated among the top 6 in the Top14.


If Galthier picks Jalibert again, I’ll know his head’s fallen off! Allez les blues!

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