TOULON SET UP FRENCH FINAL

French side Toulon has set up an all French affair in the semi final of the European Challenge Cup against Stade Francais after they defeated the Aviva Premiership side the Harlequins Football Club in the quarter final match to send the current holders and three time winners of the competition packing.

Toulon were, by far, the most dominant side in the match, outscoring the English side by three ties to one with a score of 37-8 thanks to tries from Steffon Armitage, Sebastien Tillous and Benjamin Lapyeyre, with only Danny Care pulling one back in the dying minutes of the match, which was nothing but a consolation for The Quins.

Toulon, who were runners up in the competition in the 2010 edition saw Jonny Wilkinson covert one chance as well as five penalties and their Australian centre recruit Matt Giteau also managing a penalty score.

Harlequins Football Club has been sitting on top of the Aviva Premiership from the start almost, ahead of favourites Gloucester and it was expected that they would do well in Europe too but the way they were knocked out of the competition was humiliating for the club.

The Quins had to field a much depleted side thanks to injuries to their new recruit from New Zealand Nick Evans at fly half as well as Chris Robshaw, the captain and in a way, started the match already on the back foot but not even the biggest hater of The Quins would have expected such a dreadful performance from the Aviva Premiership side.

This means that the semi finals of the competitions could still turn out to be an all French affair if the other two sides left in the competition manage to overcome their respective opponents but the conquerors of Harlequins Football Club, Toulon look favorites to secure the title.