Harlequins hopes in balance after poor first half

Pool 4 of the Investec Champions Cup

Toulon 33 (26)

Tries: Lucchesi, Serin, Abadie, Wainiqolo, Drean Cons: Serin (4)

Harlequins 21 (0)

With Toulon’s impressive victory at Stade Mayol, Harlequins’ chances of reaching the Champions Cup knockout stages were severely undermined.

After conceding four tries in the opening period, the Premiership side struggled to recover after being outmuscled by a physical Toulon side.

After the hosts ruthlessly punished them with two tries in two minutes when James Chisholm was sent to the sin-bin, Quins led 26-0 at the break.

Will Porter and Jack Walker’s successful attempts reduced the deficit to 12 points, but Gael Drean’s determined performance earned them a deserved victory and placed them at the top of Pool 4.

The Quins finished the match without a bonus point after Nick David’s final move of the match.

Quins host the Glasgow Warriors on Saturday in the final pool game game, and Toulon travel to Sale on Sunday.

Racing 92 and Stormers could also clinch one of the four qualifying spots available for the final 16 in a tight pool.

Replacements: Ivaldi, Brennan, Setiano, Alainu’uese, Rebbadj, Coulon, White, Biggar.

Harlequins: Green, David, Beard, Northmore, Murley, Smith, Porter, Baxter, Walker, Lamositele, Launchbury, Hammond, Chisholm, Kenningham, Dombrandt (capt).

Replacements: Riley, Jones, Kerrod, Cunningham-South, W Evans, Care, J Evans, Waghorn.