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Saracens edge into last eight as Wasps and Ulster miss out
By Nicholas McGee
Saracens remain in contention for a third successive European Champions Cup title after they edged into the quarter-finals with the help of Wasps.
Even on the back of a 62-14 victory over Northampton Saints on Saturday, the Pool 2 runners-up still faced the possibility of elimination with their fate in the hands of other teams.
But Premiership rivals Wasps did them a favour with a comfortable 26-7 victory over Ulster, securing Sarries' qualification as one of the three best second-placed teams, though they face a last-eight clash against a Leinster side who won all of their pool games.
Wasps were in command for virtually the entire contest and Guy Thompson, Tom Cruse, Willie le Roux and Jake Cooper-Wooley sealed a the bonus-point win, eliminating Ulster in the process.
That victory kept Wasps' hopes of progression alive but they were soon extinguished by Munster, who sealed top spot in Pool 4 with an easy win over Castres.
Ian Keatley kicked 12 points and Keith Earls, Rhys Marshall, Simon Zebo, Alex Wootton and James Cronin all crossed as Munster cruised to a 48-3 success, leapfrogging Racing 92 into top spot.
Racing, who beat Leicester Tigers 23-20 with a late Maxime Machenaud penalty, still go through as one of the best runners-up - the Parisian side progressing alongside fellow second-placed sides Toulon and Sarries.
La Rochelle wrapped up top spot in Pool 1, finishing three points ahead of Wasps as they overcame Harlequins 16-7.
European Champions Cup quarter-final draw:
Leinster v Saracens
Scarlets v La Rochelle
Munster v Toulon
Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92
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Yet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
Go to commentsIt's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
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