La Rochelle quarter-final bound after second-half rout stuns Zebre
La Rochelle stunned Zebre with an exceptional second-half showing to book their place in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.
The Top 14 side were 12-6 down at the break but racked up 26 unanswered points after the interval to triumph 32-12.
La Rochelle can still be caught at the top of Pool 4 by Bristol Bears, who face Enisei-STM twice, but their 20 points would be enough to at least guarantee one of three best runners-up spots to make the last eight.
Dany Priso, Arthur Retiere, Levani Botia and Hikairo Forbes all touched down to wrap up the crucial bonus-point victory.
Last year's semi-finalists Pau are out after a 35-14 loss to Stade Francais saw them slump to the foot of Pool 2, while Bordeaux-Begles – winners over Sale Sharks last time out – downed Perpignan 34-27 in Pool 3 to maintain their slim hopes of making the last eight.
Finally, the Dragons thrashed Timisoara Saracens 59-3 in Pool 1 to leave the Romanians still without a point.
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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