DEFENDING CHAMPIONS TOULON secured their place in the quarter-finals of the European Cup today and their win over Cardiff Blues assured Ulster’s qualification in the process.
The northern province will advance as one fo the best runners up even if they lose to Leicester at Welford Road next Saturday.
Jonny Wilkinson captained Toulonas they overpowered the in the 43 – 20 Pool 2 win.
A bonus point for a fourth try at the death – unusually a third penalty try, set Toulon atop their pool on 20 points, with the Blues in second on 13.
“We had a big point to prove after last week,” said Toulon No 8 Steffon Armitage in reference to last week’s 22 – 21 Top 14 loss to Grenoble which had incensed coach Bernard Laporte.
“All the boys were really up for it today and hopefully we’ll come back better next week.”
Winger David Smith was the only name on Toulon’s try-scoring sheet, with Wilkinson booting four penalties and four conversions.
The Blues scored tries through Filo Paulo and Sam Hobbs, with British Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny hitting two penalties and two conversions, but they paid for four yellow cards.