Isa hat-trick powers Toulon into Champions Cup quarters in Saracens thriller

PARIS: Argentina No 8 Facundo Isa scored three times on his 150th club appearance as Toulon fought back to beat a much-changed Saracens 72-42 in an open encounter on Saturday to reach the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Isa claimed his hat-trick in a 24-minute spell either side of the break after three-time former champions Sarries had built a 22-point lead after a little over half an hour of play in blazing sunshine on the French Riviera.

France full-back Melvyn Jaminet scored 32 points, including two of 10 Toulon tries, in his first Champions Cup game since finishing his lengthy ban for making racist marks on social media last July. “I think it´s the first time I´ve scored a hat-trick,” Isa told BeIn Sports.

“We reacted well, lifted ourselves up.

“Now we want to go the whole way,” the 31-year-old added.

Toulon, also champions on three occasions, will host holders Toulouse or Sale, who meet on Sunday, in next weekend´s last eight.

The 114 points scored by the sides was the second highest in the tournament´s history, only beaten by the 124 scored by Toulouse and Ebbw Vale in 1998.

Saracens had chosen to rest a host of England internationals including lock Maro Itoje and hooker Jamie George, prioritising their Premiership commitments.

Despite an inexperienced team they deservedly led 35-13 just after the half-hour mark.

Two tries from Isa´s fellow Pumas back-rower Juan Martin Gonzalez and touchdowns by Wales centre Nick Tompkins, English midfielders Olly Hartley and South African scrum-half Ivan van Zyl handed Mark McCall´s outfit the perfect start.

Fiji winger Jiuta Wainiqolo´s five-pointer and a conversion and two penalties from Jaminet were the hosts´ only contributions in a nightmare opening 32 minutes.

Toulon´s comeback started five minutes before the break as Isa crashed over for his first try, having been to blame for two of Saracens´ five early tries. Jaminet then crossed and his conversion brought his side within eight points of Sarries at half-time.