Paris (AFP) - Robert Baloucoune bagged a hat-trick of tries to help Ulster notch up a memorable 26-20 victory over defending champions Toulouse in the first leg of the last-16 European Champions Cup round of matches on Saturday.
The Ireland winger shone not only in attack but also as part of a strong defensive showing by the Irish province against a star-studded Toulouse side boasting 10 of France's Grand Slam-winning squad, but down to 14 for 70 minutes of an entertaining match after a red card for Argentina winger Juan Cruz Mallia.
"We knew Ulster were one of the competition's bigger teams and to play them with 14 players didn't make it easy for us," said Toulouse's France captain and Six Nations player of the tournament Antoine Dupont.
"But we didn't lie down and we can be proud of what we did."
Dupont said that "everything is possible" in next week's second leg in Belfast.
"It's clear it'll be tough having lost the first leg by six points.They lose very few matches at home, so we know the challenge awaiting us."
Dupont was to the fore in early exchanges in Toulouse, Emmanuel Meafou eventually crashing through three tackles for the home side's opening try, Thomas Ramos hitting the conversion.
Then came the hammer blow, English referee Wayne Barnes left with no option but to brandish red for Mallia after the winger inexplicably took out opposite number Ben Moxham in the air.
Ulster made their numerical advantage pay immediately, Baloucoune played in at the corner after Matthis Lebel was sucked off his wing.
Ramos hit a penalty on the buzzer to leave Toulouse at 13-7 at half-time.
But Ulster would not sit down, Baloucoune grabbing his second try in the fifth minute of the second period after a strong break and offload by Stuart McCloskey.
Ulster then proceeded to dominate possession and territory, replacement prop Andrew Warwick dotting down for the Irish province's third try from close range, John Cooney hitting his second conversion.
Toulouse hit back, Pita Ahki at the heart of their attack.But there was one too many forced passes, Baloucoune pouncing on a Dupont pass to sprint 70 metres for his hat-trick, Cooney bagging the extras to make it 26-13 with 15 minutes to play.
Romain Ntamack scored a consolation try, converted by Ramos.
La Rochelle trump UBB
Earlier Saturday, La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara ensured more woe for Christophe Urios as his side, who lost to Toulouse in last season's European and Top 14 finals, sauntered to a 31-13 victory over Bordeaux-Begles.
O'Gara was involved in a bad-tempered touchline spat with Urios last weekend when La Rochelle ran out 16-15 victors in the Top 14.
Urios aimed a slap at the ex-Ireland international, later dubbing him an "insufferable" trouble maker.
The pair are to appear before a disciplinary committee next week over the incident.
There was no chance for a secondary confrontation on Saturday, however, as O'Gara is currently serving a two-week touchline ban for having previously criticised refereeing standards in another La Rochelle league match.
But his side did not disappoint, Kiwi fly-half Ihaia West hitting four penalties and a conversion as Raymond Rhule and Jonathan Danty, along with a penalty try, made the difference.
France lock Cameron Woki and Italian Federico Mori crossed for Bordeaux-Begles, who only managed only one Maxime Lucu penalty in a toothless first half.
Elsewhere, Gael Fickou scored the only try of the game as Racing 92 beat cross-city rivals Stade Francais 22-9, a feat mirrored by Fiji's Semi Radradra in Bristol's 10-9 victory over fellow English Premiership club Sale.
Scotland captain Stuart Hogg was a try scorer as Exeter racked up the sole home win in Saturday's action with a hard-fought 13-8 triumph over Munster.
