'We messed up but are proud' - relive thrilling Harlequins v Toulouse semi-final

1. Harlequins' Champions Cup run ends with semi-final defeat in Toulouse
2. Juan Cruz Mallia try with Quins' Jack Walker in sin-bin proves crucial
3. Tries from Caden Murley & Tyrone Green gave Harlequins hope in electric second half
4. Antoine Dupont scored two tries as Toulouse led 31-12 at half-time
5. Toulouse will seek to win sixth European Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 25 May
6. French side will play Leinster in the final

Goodbye

So it's a case of what might have been for a plucky Harlequins, while Toulouse can gird their lions for a mouth-watering final at Tottenham against Leinster on 25 May.

See you there!

'You cannot afford lapses'

Quins director of rugby Billy Millard, speaking to ITV: "It was the breakdown, we got counter-rucked but once we got it right in the second half we looked more like us. But we let them in for some soft tries with some poor breakdown work.

"In these big games you cannot afford to have lapses, and we were poor in that first half.

Can they make the top four?

"They are sick of us saying every week is a must-win, but next week is a must-win! There was a lot of good stuff, no injuries and we have to prep for next weekend."

'We messed up but are proud'

Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care speaking to ITV: "It was a brilliant game to be involved in. We messed up in the first half by giving them too many points and it was too much to pull back even for us.

"There was a bit of a kick up the bum at half-time. We let ourselves down in a few breakdown areas, we gifted them 28 points, and if you do that it is very hard to pull back. We nearly did it, we had a few opportunities but they are a brilliant, world-class team.

"The final will be unbelievable, we would love to have been a ;part of it but unfortunately not but we can be really proud of our efforts.

"We still had chances but we were not as accurate as we need to be to beat these teams. It is a great learning curve, a lot of lads will have more opportunities in this tournament. I am not sure how many I will have but days like this you will remember.

"This has to be a springboard, we have shown we can go toe to toe with one of the very best in Europe, salary cap or whatever, we back ourselves against anyone. Maybe we could have got to the final, but it is down to the Premiership with two massive games."

'It's surreal and I cannot wait for the final'

Toulouse flanker Jack Willis speaking to ITV:

"It was a pretty tense one. Fair play to Quins, they threw everything at us. We made quite a few mistakes but the takeaway feeling is that I cannot wait for that final. We prepped for Quins and we know what a quality side they are.

"They threw it at us and it was tough to get the win. You have to stay together and know you have time to get the points back.

"We have some great leaders, we focused on getting back up the field and on our discipline.

"It is a bit surreal, I grew up watching the Champions Cup finals with my Dad and brother, to be involved in in one is incredible. But we have to go and win it, chuck everything at it and see what happens. To be back in the motherland will be pretty special."

Hard luck Harlequins

Paul Grayson

Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Every credit to Harlequins for withstanding the first-half onslaught. Yes, they made some mistakes and hurt themselves, but they fought their way back into the game and an unfortunate sin-binning handed the advantage back to Toulouse.

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It'll be a cracker at Spurs on 25 May, when both clubs have a shot at their sixth title. Leinster have lost their last three finals since they won in 2018.

All set for 'grandstand' final

Paul Grayson

Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

After the two semi-finals, and two great contests, we now have the final that the tournament wanted, with the two best teams going head to head at Tottenham in what could be an absolute grandstand event.

Quins should take a lot of pride from their display, and the run to the semi-finals as well.

Now, it's the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Toulouse when they face Leinster.

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Paul Grayson

Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Harlequins showed the very best of Harlequins rugby in the second half and for a period of time Toulouse, a European powerhouse, could not stop them.

The experience of playing in an occasion like this is invaluable for the Harlequins players.

TOULOUSE INTO THE CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL

All over - a ferocious game and Toulouse will have the chance of a sixth title, but kudos to Quins for a superb comeback.

Paul Grayson

Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Marler did brilliantly in the carry and offload and Ramos got in his way. Just that little devil on his shoulder and rightly he's penalised for that.

Marler gives penalty away

Joe Marler wriggles free on halfway and makes a few metres before a knock-on. The prop exchanges pleasantries with a Toulouse player, then clips him round the head with a swipe of the arm, giving Ntamack the chance to kick clear.

A savage tackle by Pita Ahki on Andre Esterhuizen sees the centre knock it on to end an attack, and maybe end Quins' hopes of a comeback.

Quins are still giving this a go, Tyrone Green's grubber pegs the hosts back and they can only clear to short of halfway.

It feels like a bridge too far for Quins now, they are a man down until 76 minutes as well, of course.

'Champion response'

Paul Grayson

Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

That was a quick reply to the sin-binning. Harlequins almost stopped it but with 10 minutes to go the crowd are back on their feet and the energy levels are back up.

That was a champion response.

Converted try - Toulouse 38-26 Harlequins

Just a few seconds after Walker's departure, and Toulouse score a fine try.

The ball is flipped through several pairs of hands, and Mallia gets back up after he's stopped by two tacklers to stretch and touch down near the flag.

Thomas Ramos lands a great conversion from the touchline.

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Chris Jones

BBC rugby union correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

That's not a red card in a month of Sundays when you see the intention but there was head on head contact.

Sin-bin - Jack Walker

The Quins hooker will go the sin-bin for 10 minutes, but the home fans are incensed and want it to be red.

Card for Walker?

Uh-oh - hooker Jack Walker could be in trouble after it looked like he cleared Antoine Dupont out with a head-and-shoulder tackle to the head.