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Argentine flier Juan Imhoff scored today as Racing 92 reached a first ever European Semi Final, defeating the three-time running champions Toulon in Paris. The Puma winger’s try was the opening score of the match and the only try scored by Racing 92.
The suburban Parisian climb was playing host to Toulon in a European Rugby Champions Cup Quarter Final. On the line was a place in the final four against Aviva Premiership club the Leicester Tigers. Earlier in the day the English side had defeated Stade Français 41-13 at home in Leicester, a result not totally unexpected given the extent to which the Gonzalo Quesada coached side is struggling in the Top 14.
Racing 92’s win over Toulon was a vastly different result. The 19-16 win was sealed two minutes from full-time with a Maxime Machenaud penalty. With it Racing 92 are now set to dive into unmarked waters and are to be the only Top 14 side in the European Rugby Champions Cup Semi Finals.
Imhoff crossed in just the third minute, scoring an intercept try down the right wing. It was converted by New Zealand’s Dan Carter who had also landed a penalty one minute before Imhoff’s try. The 10-10 lead would not last as Toulon fought back to lead 13-10 before Macheanaud out kicked Jonathan Pelissié to secure the win.
Racing 92’s first ever European Semi Final means Toulon’s reign is over. The southern French club won the Heineken Cup Finals in 2013 and 2014 and the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup last season. Involved in all three winning efforts was Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe who missed today’s Quarter Final.
Imhoff can expect to come up against another veteran Puma in the Semi Final, Marcos Ayerza. El Toro has called the Leicester Tigers home since 2006 and played in a losing effort in the 2009 Heineken Cup Final.
For Racing 92 today’s win comes twelve months after Puma Marcelo Bosch kicked Racing 92 out of another Quarter Final at the same ground. Bosch and Saracens will be taking-on the Wasps in the first Semi Final, a day before Racing take-on Leicester. The Semi Finals will be played on April 23 and 24 in the English cities of Reading and Nottingham.
