One French giant is felled, another looms in Marseille

After Munster’s heroics on Saturday, all eyes were firmly focused on the Stade Felix Mayol yesterday to see if Leinster could seal the dream semi-final for Dublin.

Unfortunately, playing against a Toulon side blessed with power, pace and more than a sprinkle of star quality in the blistering heat, it just proved a step too far.

As a consequence, Munster now carry Irish hopes into the last four when a legitimate claim for all three Irish quarter-finalists could be made after Munster set the ball rolling with that excellent win over Toulouse in the weekend’s opening quarter-final.