Investec Champions Cup: Billy Millard bullish about Harlequins hopes ahead of semi-final against Toulouse – ‘No fear'

Harlequins director of rugby Billy Millard says his side have “no fear” ahead of their Investec Champions Cup semi-final away to Toulouse on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

After coming through the group phase, Quins beat URC leaders Glasgow Warriors and claimed the scalp of French Top 14 side Bordeaux Begles to reach the last four, but now face arguably their biggest challenge yet.

They are coming into the blockbuster fixture on the back of a thrilling 41-32 win over Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership and Millard has named the same starting XV.

It features a back three of Cadan Murley, Louis Lynagh and Tyrone Green, while Danny Care starts at scrum-half with Marcus Smith at 10.

The only change is on the bench as James Chisholm returns from injury to take the place of Will Trenholm.

“It’s been a special build-up,” said Millard. “The excitement and energy levels are high and we’re looking forward to another great challenge on Sunday.

“We know we’re up against a good opponent but we’re relishing the opportunity, there’s no fear amongst our boys and we’re excited to get across to Toulouse and challenge for the result.”

Should they win, Harlequins will reach their first Champions Cup final, but to do that, they must get the better of one of the best club sides in the world.

Toulouse’s starting line-up is littered with players of international calibre, headlined by scrum-half Antoine Dupont.

Dupont is considered by many as the best player in the world and he will form one of the deadliest half-back partnerships with No. 10 Romain Ntamack on Sunday.

Pita Ahki and Paul Costes have been named in the Toulouse midfield, while Matthis Lebel, Juan Cruz Mallia and Blair Kinghorn make up the back three.

Cyril Baille at loosehead, hooker Peato Mauvaka and tighthead Dorian Aldegheri feature in the front row, ahead of locks Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou, flankers Francois Cros and Jack Willis, and No. 8 Alexandre Roumat.

Toulouse’s bench is also stacked, with the likes of Julien Marchand, Richie Arnold and Thomas Ramos ready to be called upon.

The two sides met in the group stage, with Toulouse winning 47-19 at the Stoop.

Toulouse: Kinghorn; Cruz Mallia, Costes, Ahki, Lebel; Ntamack, Dupont (C); Baille, Mauvaka, Aldegheri, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Willis, Roumat.

Replacements: Marchand, Neti, Merkler, Arnold, Castro-Ferreira, Graou, Chocobares, Ramos.

Harlequins: Green; Lynagh, Northmore, Esterhuizen, Murley; Smith, Care; Baxter, Walker, Collier, Herbst, Lewies (C), Cunningham-South, Evans, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Riley, Marler, Kerrod, Hammond, Chisholm, Porter, Evans, Beard.

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.