Toulon beat Leicester Tigers 34-19 in European Challenge Cup semi-final

Toulon 34-19 Leicester Tigers, Stade Felix Mayol
Scorecard

Toulon have secured a berth in the European Challenge Cup final after they defeated Leicester Tigers 34-19 in the semi-final at Stade Felix Mayol on Saturday.

The French side will now take on Bristol Bears in the final of the tournament next month.

George Ford started the proceedings with a third minute penalty goal but Toulon bounced back when Sergio Parisse made an overhead pass allowing Bryce Heem to dot down and Louis Carbonel improved it making it 7-3.

Carbonel kicked a penalty goal in the 18th minute and also kicked the conversion to Gabin Villiere's try at the end of the first quarter to take the scoreline 17-3.

Even though Ford kicked his second penalty goal in the 25th minute, his effort was cancelled out as Carbonel kicked a three-pointer of his own as the gap between the teams remained at 14 points.

As the half-time was approaching, Nemani Nadolo touched down but Ford missed the conversion as the opening half ended with a 20-11 scoreline.

Leicester were quick to get off the block in the second half with Ford kicking his third penalty goal that reduced their deficit to six points but Facundo Isa dived from close range and Carbonel improved it making 27-14.

The start of the final quarter saw Leicester lose Tomas Lavanini sin-bin in the 64th minute for a late tackle and Toulon saw Villiere scoring his second to make it 32-14 but immediately after that Parisse was yellow-carded in the 72nd minute for collapsing a maul and Harry Potter's try helped Leicester reduce their losing margin.