Romain Ntamack kicked all of Toulouse’s points as they defeated fellow Frenchmen Clermont Auvergne 21-12 in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup.

In another physical battle between two French teams, tries were non-existent and instead it was the boot that dominated.

Two penalties apiece from Morgan Parra and Romain Ntamack meant the sides went in level at the interval.

That duo continued to play an influential role in the second half, but it was the latter that had the biggest say, adding five more three-pointers to take his side into the semi-finals and end Clermont’s European dream for another year.

It was similar to the earlier all-French affair in which the packs went toe-to-toe in a battle for supremacy, but the wet conditions ultimately dictated the nature of the contest at the Marcel Michelin.

There was, at least, far more skill on show, as well as some ambition when the opportunity arose. In fact, Clermont played some excellent rugby at times and would have scored had Alivereti Raka got better contact on a grubber through.

Damian Penaud was also a threat, superbly reading Maxime Medard’s ‘up and under’ and surging down the left. Play eventually moved into the opposition 22 but, like most of the attacks in the first half, it was brought to a halt from a mistake.

Toulouse also had their moments but errors at critical times – with Antoine Dupont surprisingly the culprit on a couple of occasions – meant kicking dominated the clash.

It took until the 24th minute for the deadlock to be broken when Parra bisected the uprights before the scrum-half added a second off the tee for a 6-0 lead.

The visitors responded, though, and were back on level terms by the break through the boot of Ntamack.

Any thoughts that the second period would be different were put to bed immediately when an infringement at the restart led to Les Jaunards’ kicker regaining their advantage.

Ntamack then replied before he moved Toulouse ahead for the first time in the match with another successful effort off the tee.

Although Parra would equalise, Les Rouge et Noir were beginning to take control of proceedings with ill-discipline becoming a significant issue for the hosts.

As a result, they conceded two kickable penalties which the visiting fly-half converted to open up a six-point buffer.

Auvergne briefly threatened through a Kotaro Matsushima break, but Toulouse’s pack were in the ascendency and, after forcing the hosts to infringe following a dominant drive, Ntamack made sure of their passage into the last four.