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Edinburgh reach European Cup quarter-finals, take Glasgow with them

Edinburgh players celebrate their victory over Montpellier and place in the quarter-finals

Edinburgh reached the European Champions Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2012 on Friday, taking Scottish rivals Glasgow into the last-eight with them. Edinburgh defeated Montpellier 19-10 to ensure top spot in Pool 5 and a home quarter-final tie. However coach Richard Cockerill ruled out Edinburgh's chances of winning the trophy. "Not a chance, but I don't think any of the eight teams (in the quarter-finals) would say they could win the tournament because it's such a hard tournament to win. There is so much luck involved," he said. Edinburgh's victory also ensured Glasgow, who face already qualified Saracens on Saturday, will make the quarters either as either Pool 3 winners or one of the best three runners-up from the five groups. Furthermore, Friday's result at Murrayfield allowed defending champions Leinster and Racing92 to move into the quarter-finals before the rest of the weekend's final batch of group games. Fly-half Jaco van der Walt kicked Edinburgh 9-0 ahead before his fellow South African and Montpellier lock Jacques du Plessis drove over for a converted try for the French side on the brink of half-time. Veteran kicker Ruan Pienaar nudged Montpellier ahead with a penalty early in the second half for a 10-9 lead but Edinburgh's greater possession eventually told. Van der Welt was successful with another penalty before Edinburgh grabbed their first try just on the hour mark. Winger Darcy Graham crossed in the corner after his forwards created the opening with a ruthless drive and maul with van der Welt converting. Defeat for Montpellier, coached by former Scotland boss Vern Cotter, meant that they also mised out on a quarter-final spot. In Pool 5's other game, three-time champions Toulon salvaged a degree of pride with a 27-24 win at Newcastle. Daniel Ikpefan, Filipo Nakosi and Bastien Soury scored the tries as Toulon grabbed their first away win of their season.