Ntamack kicks Toulouse into the semi-finals
- 2095
Romain Ntamack kicked all of his side’s points as they claimed a 21-12 away success over Clermont to secure a spot in the Champions Cup semi-finals for the third successive season.
The four-time European champions pulled away in the final 20 minutes as Clermont’s lack of discipline proved costly, allowing Ntamack to send his side into the last four with a string of accurate penalty kicks. Ntamack didn’t start at his precise best though, missing two kicks whilst his opposite kicker, Morgan Parra, made no mistake to nudge Clermont six points ahead.
In a tactical opening 40 minutes, Toulouse edged their way back into proceedings and ended up level at the break courtesy of a pair of penalty kicks, with attacking opportunities at a premium.
At a rainy Stade Marcel-Michelin, the two sides again battled for territory and remained locked in a tight affair until the hour mark as the two kickers both slotted penalty kicks to leave us at 12-12.
But it was at that point that Toulouse took control, taking advantage of a powerful scrum and Clermont indiscipline to move three, six and then nine points ahead from the kicking tee.
Parra would have the chance to move Clermont back within a score on 77 minutes, but he hooked a kick badly wide in the last meaningful action of the last eight clash.
Toulouse will host Bordeaux-Begles in their Champions Cup semi-final in three weeks’ time.
