Ma'a Nonu's Toulon lose European Champions Cup quarterfinal

Ma'a Nonu's European Champions Cup final dream is over.

The All Blacks great's Toulon side was knocked out of the quarterfinals by French rival Clermont Auvergne in a comprehensive 29-9 win at home on Sunday.

Former Chiefs and Counties Manukau No 8 Fritz Lee was in the Clermont pack that rejoiced in avenging 2013 and 2015 finals defeats to Toulon with the win. 

French scrumhalf Morgan Parra kicked 16 points for the victors and Noa Nakaitaci and substitute Damian Penaud scored tries.

Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny slotted three penalties for Toulon, who could not cross the Clermont try-line.

Clermont will play top Irish province Leinster at Lyon in the semifinals on April 22 or 23.

European and English champions Saracens will meet Munster in a final-four fixture in Dublin after a 38-13 win over the Glasgow Warriors in London on Monday.

Saracens' Scottish international wing Sean Maitland had bragging rights over former Crusaders comrade Corey Flynn, who came on as a substitute for Glasgow's Scottish international Fraser Brown on the hour mark.

With two tries to ex-England wing Chris Ashton and touch-downs by seasoned midfielders Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt, Saracens had too much class and power for a Glasgow side in their first European Champions Cup quarterfinal.

The semifinals will contain a smattering of Kiwis with captain Isa Nacewa, veteran lock Hayden Triggs and  former Taranaki halfback Jamison Gibson-Park on Leinster's books, Munster boasting  former Crusaders pivot Tyler Bleyendaal, ex-All Blacks midfielder Francis Saili and hooker Rhys Marshall, Maitland at Saracens and Lee joined at Clermont by former All Blacks utility back Isaia Toeava.

 

Photo By: Ed Sykes/ Reuters (Ma'a Nonu's Toulon team was knocked out of the European Champions Cup quarterfinals).