A powerful forward display and assured goalkicking gave Toulouse a 32-16 victory over Northampton and a place in the European Cup semi-finals today.
The French side - winners in 1996 - scored tries through Christian Labit and Cedric Heymans, while Yann Delaigue contributed 16 points with his boot and Frederic Michalak also kicked two penalties.
Northampton's reply came from a late try by former England winger Jon Sleightholme and 11 points from Paul Grayson kicks.
The experienced England outhalf opened the scoring with a 50-metre penalty after six minutes and the first half developed into a kicking battle won by Delaigue and Michalak.
Toulouse broke the deadlock just before half-time thanks to a try by flanker Labit after a powerful forward drive. Delaigue converted and Toulouse led 19-6 at the interval.
The kicking battle resumed in the second half with Grayson and Delaigue exchanging penalties.
Trailing 22-9, Northampton's frustration was apparent when former Scotland captain Budge Pountney was sin-binned for coming in from the side of a ruck in the 48th minute.
Toulouse lost their numerical advantage when centre Cedric Desbrosse was also binned for a technical foul seven minutes later.
A powerful Northampton surge faltered one metre from the line and the Toulouse defence held firm until the English team found their way through when Sleightholme dived over after scrumhalf Matt Dawson opted to run a kickable penalty.
Grayson converted but with both sides back to 15 men, Toulouse substitute Heymans killed the game 10 minutes from time when he hacked the ball up field and outpaced the defence to touch down.
It completed a miserable week for Northampton, the former European champions, who lost to Gloucester in the English Cup final last weekend.