Toulouse power past Northampton

PARIS (AFP) — Tournament favourites Toulouse powered into the European Cup semi-finals with a 37-9 mauling of Northampton.

The French giants, bidding to win a record three European Cups, earned the right to face the winners of Saturday's quarter-final between Leinster and Leicester in Dublin after this runaway win.

Northampton coach Budge Pountney had labelled Toulouse, title holders in 1996 and 2003, as "the Kings of Europe" and the Pyrenean side duly served up a regal display in front of nearly 37,000 fans.

Toulouse's own crown prince Frederic Michalak was responsible for 14 of his team's points scoring one try, two penalties and a drop goal.

There were also touchdowns from Cedric Heymans, Vincent Clerc and Christian Labit, with each one converted by Jean-Baptiste ...