Harlequins defied their abysmal home kind to stun La Rochelle 27-17 at Stade Marcel Deflandre and safe residence benefit within the Champions Cup spherical of 16.
England fly-half Marcus Smith was despatched to the sin bin for a excessive deal with on Jules Favre within the 56th minute however upon his return, Quins produced the matchwinning second towards the 2022 and 2023 champions.
It was Tom Lawday who delivered the decisive rating with eight minutes remaining by storming over with a robust run down the precise wing after being given sight of the road by an extended move from Jarrod Evans.
Man of the match Smith transformed the attempt to added a late penalty to start the celebrations, within the course of leaving European heavyweights La Rochelle to mirror on their shock group exit from the competitors.
With the rating tied at 17-17 heading into the ultimate 10 minutes, Harlequins stored their nerve to finish a well-known win which means they end Pool Three in second place behind Leinster.
The success in European motion has proved to be a refuge for the London membership, who’ve sunk to ninth within the Gallagher Prem and not too long ago issued an apology to followers.
Northampton Saints seal residence spherical of 16 tie after beating Scarlets
Northampton wings Edoardo Todaro and Ollie Sleightholme did the injury in a 43-28 victory over Scarlets that secured residence benefit within the Champions Cup spherical of 16.
Teenage Italy worldwide Todaro displayed his ending instincts to seize a first-half hat-trick and was named man of the match consequently, whereas Sleightholme went over within the 51st minute.
As soon as Craig Wright completed a line-out drive, Saints led 33-14 and seemed to be coasting, however Scarlets discovered a second wind to cross via Sam Costelow and Jac Davies.
Rigidity mounted at Franklin’s Gardens till Anthony Belleau, who continued to deputise for calf-injury sufferer Fin Smith, rifled over a penalty within the 76th minute to place daylight between the rivals.
Callum Chick then drove over from the shut vary in additional time to offer the ultimate scoreline a lopsided look that didn’t mirror Scarlets’ gutsy efficiency.
The bonus-point victory means Northampton end the group marketing campaign in second place, 4 factors adrift of high facet and defending champions Bordeaux.
Bordeaux safe No 1 seeding as Bristol dealt away tie
Bristol have been outgunned of their duel with Bordeaux for high spot in Pool 4 of the Champions Cup after falling 27-15 at a rainswept Ashton Gate.
The present European champions did the majority of the injury within the first half with Gabriel Oghre’s early strive rapidly overhauled by two from Louis Bielle-Biarrey and a 3rd by Nicolas Depoortere.
All three Bordeaux tries got here off turnovers with Bristol dwelling dangerously in moist situations with unfastened kicking and poor decision-making contributing to their 17-5 deficit.
The Bears rallied with Benhard Janse van Rensburg displaying his energy to cross within the sixty fifth minute however they continued to make errors that allow the guests wrestle again management.
France wing Bielle-Biarrey went over for his hat-trick to safe the person of the match award and the excellent Matthieu Jalibert added two penalties in a robust finale by the High 14 heavyweights.
The end result means Bordeaux end high of the group to assert residence benefit till the semi-final stage, whereas Bristol should journey for his or her round-of-16 tie.
