Jonathan Sexton kicks Racing Metro to Top 14 semi-final

Paris club end Toulouse’s semi-final run as Ireland outhalf lands all seven penalties

Racing Metro outhalf Jonathan Sexton passes the ball  during the Top 14 quarter-final match against Toulouse at   Stade Ernest Wallon  in Toulouse. Photograph: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images)
Racing Metro outhalf Jonathan Sexton passes the ball during the Top 14 quarter-final match against Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse. Photograph: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images)

Toulouse 16 Racing Metro 21: Ireland outhalf Jonathan Sexton kicked Racing Metro to a famous victory over Toulouse at the Stade Ernest Wallon as he landed seven penalties from seven attempts as the Paris club earned a Top 14 semi-final meeting with Toulon.

Guy Noves’s side had come in to the game as heavy favourites to make their 21st straight trip to the semi-finals, but they were blown away at the set pieces by Racing as Sexton led his team superbly.

His side went 3-0 down after three minutes when French outhalf Jean-Marc Doussain landed the opening penalty.

Sexton responded with his first two kicks to put his side ahead and two further penalties before the break gave Racing a 12-3 lead at the break.

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Spurred on by replacement flanker Yannick Nyanga, Toulouse enjoyed a purple patch just after the interval, with Hosea Gear going in for the game's only try three minutes after the restart.

Doussain added the conversion, and despite missing a penalty on 48 minutes, he put his side 13-12 ahead with a successful effort two minutes later.

The two outhalves traded penalties, before Sexton edged his side 18-16 clear at the start of the final quarter.

Doussain would miss a vital second penalty on 67 minutes and with Racing’s pack dominating at scrum and lineout, Sexton landed his seventh and final kick from 40 metres for a famous victory.