Toulon overcome 22-point deficit to beat Saracens

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Investec Champions Cup last 16

Toulon: (27) 72

Tries: Wainiqolo, Isa 3, Jaminet 2, Alainu'uese, Fainga'anuku, Serin, Tuicuvu Cons: Jaminet 6 Pens: Jaminet 2

Saracens: (35) 42

Tries: Gonzalez 2, Tompkins, Hartley, Van Zyl, Hadfield Cons: Burke 6

Ten-try Toulon recovered from a 22-point deficit to overpower an under-strength Saracens side and reach the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Facundo Isa marked his 150th appearance for the French side with a hat-trick and Melvyn Jaminet scored two tries, while Jiuta Wainiqolo, Brian Alainu'uese, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Baptiste Serin and Seta Tuicuvu also crossed.

Saracens, who rested England stars Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Ben Earl and Elliot Daly for their trip to the Stade Felix Mayol, started brightly and threatened an upset in an impressive first half.

Juan Martin Gonzalez capitalised on a couple of Toulon handling errors to score twice and centres Nick Tompkins and Olly Hartley also crossed in a clinical opening half an hour to hand the visitors a 35-13 lead.

The hosts scored a quickfire double to reduce the deficit to three points at the interval before taking complete control in the sunshine with the next 26 points.

James Hadfield claimed a consolation for Sarries against the run of play but Toulon finished strongly, with a final flurry of three late tries sealing their place in the next round.

The Top 14 side will host either Toulouse or Sale Sharks in the quarter-finals next weekend.

More to follow.

Toulon: Jaminet; Wainiqolo, Fainga'anuku, Sinzelle, Villiere; Garbisi, White; Gros, Baubigny, Sinckler, Halagahu, Ribbans (capt), Ludlam, Abadie, Isa.

Replacements: Lucchesi, Priso, Gigashvili, Alainu'uese, Le Corvec, Serin, Domon, Tuicuvu.

Saracens: Goode; Elliott, Tompkins, Hartley, Hall; Burke, Van Zyl (capt); Mawi, Dan, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Tizard, McFarland, Gonzalez, Onyeama-Christie.

Replacements: Hadfield, Carre, Clarey, Wilson, Michelow, Simpson, Johnson, Jackson-Richards.

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

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