Harlequins hopes in balance after poor first half

Investec Champions Cup Pool 4

Toulon 33 (26)

Tries: Lucchesi, Serin, Abadie, Wainiqolo, Drean Cons: Serin (4)

Harlequins 21 (0)

Tries: Porter, Walker, David Cons: Smith (3)

Harlequins' hopes of making the Champions Cup knockout stage took a significant blow as Toulon powered to victory at Stade Mayol.

The Premiership side were unable to recover after conceding four tries in a first half where the visitors had more possession but were outmuscled by a physical Toulon side.

Quins trailed 26-0 at the break after the hosts punished them ruthlessly with two tries in two minutes when James Chisholm was sent to the sin-bin.

Tries from Will Porter and Jack Walker closed the gap to 12 points but Gael Drean's dynamic finish clinched a deserved victory which moved the three-time champions to the top of Pool 4.

Nick David scored with the last move of the match but the Quins finished the match without a bonus point.

In the final round of pool games next weekend Quins host Glasgow Warriors, who have already qualified for the last 16, on Saturday and Toulon travel to face Sale on Sunday.

In a tight pool, Racing 92 and Stormers could also pinch one of four qualifying places on offer for the last 16.

Toulon: Domon; Drean, Frisch, Sinzelle, Wainiqolo; Garbisi, Serin; Priso, Lucchesi, Sinckler, Halagahu, Ribbans (capt), Ludlam, Abadie, Isa.

Replacements: Ivaldi, Brennan, Setiano, Alainu'uese, Rebbadj, Coulon, White, Biggar.

Harlequins: Green; David, Beard, Northmore, Murley; Smith, Porter; Baxter, Walker, Lamositele, Launchbury, Hammond, Chisholm, Kenningham, Dombrandt (capt).

Replacements: Riley, Jones, Kerrod, Cunningham-South, W Evans, Care, J Evans, Waghorn.

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)