Toulon, Ulster reach Heineken Cup quarters

Reigning champions Toulon were among the teams to book their place in the quarter-finals as the Heineken Cup last eight began to take shape. The Top 14 outfit claimed a 43-20 victory over Cardiff Blues on Saturday, benefiting from three penalty tries on their way to a bonus-point win. Jonny Wilkinson converted five first-half penalties as Toulon edged to a 15-13 half-time lead, before three tries in the space of six second-half minutes put the French club firmly in the ascendancy. Sam Hobbs tried his best to pull the men from the Welsh capital back into the tie by going over with little more than 10 minutes left to play, but Toulon made sure of all five points with the third penalty try at the death. Glasgow Warriors emerged as 15-10 victors from the Pool Two's other clash with Exeter, keeping both in contention for second place. Ulster and Leicester Tigers have progressed from Pool Five, but will face-off for top spot when they meet at Welford Road next Saturday. The Irishmen currently top the group after a 27-16 victory over Montpellier on Friday, while Leicester are two points behind in second following a 34-19 bonus point win at Benetton Treviso. In Pool Four, Clermont Auvergne triumphed 16-13 at Harlequins on Saturday to book their place in the last eight, while Scarlets climbed above Racing Metro with an impressive 19-13 victory in France. Munster topped Pool Six with a 20-7 win at Gloucester, opening the door for Edinburgh to climb to second with a 27-16 result against Perpignan. The Scots will have their eyes on the last remaining runner-up spot in the quarter-finals but, as things stand, it is Pool Five that is likely to produce the highest-scoring second-placed team. Toulouse moved four points clear at the top of the group as Jean-Marc Doussain converted seven penalties in a 21-11 over Saracens, who will still feel confident of progressing as they prepare to host Connacht next weekend. Connacht cruised to a 20-3 victory over Zebre in the pool's other tie. In Pool One, Northampton Saints kept their hopes of topping the group alive by running out 29-17 winners over the disappointing Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium, but it is Leinster who are in the driving seat going into the last round of fixtures, sitting four points clear at the top after a 29-22 win at Castres - ending the Frenchmen's 18-match unbeaten run at home.