Bordeaux Bègles Beat Toulouse 30-15 in Champions Cup Quarters

Bordeaux Bègles defeated Toulouse 30-15 in the Investec Champions Cup quarterfinal on Sunday at Stade Chaban-Delmas, securing a semifinal matchup against Bath and keeping their title defense alive.

The reigning champions overcame an early deficit through disciplined defense and opportunistic attacks, capitalizing on disciplinary lapses by the visitors. Toulouse, six-time European winners, started strongly with superior possession and territory in the opening quarter but struggled to convert pressure into points until the 23rd minute, when Bordeaux hooker Maxime Lamothe powered over from a lineout maul for the game's first try.

Toulouse responded immediately from the restart. After forcing a turnover, flanker Jack Willis carried powerfully to the line, and quick hands allowed flyhalf Romain Ntamack to dart through for a try, which fullback Thomas Ramos converted to give the visitors a 7-5 lead. The momentum shifted dramatically three minutes before halftime when Toulouse prop Dorian Aldegheri received a 20-minute red card following a TMO review for a high shoulder charge on Bordeaux winger Damian Penaud during a kick chase. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Toulouse extended...