Sunday noticed a fourth assembly in as many seasons of La Rochelle and Leinster within the Champions Cup, with their final two clashes each having been within the closing and going the way in which of the French membership.
Their tussle was one among 4 Champions Cup and two Problem Cup video games on Sunday that noticed 5 High 14, 4 Premiership and three United Rugby Championship golf equipment concerned hoping to get off to a profitable begin.
So what occurred on Sunday within the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Problem Cup?
Champions Cup
Leinster lastly ended their hoodoo in opposition to La Rochelle with a 16-9 victory, halting a run of three straight defeats coming within the aforementioned 2022 and 2023 finals, in addition to a semi-final in 2021.
Having led in all three of these video games, Leinster wouldn’t have felt snug till the ultimate whistle regardless of going forward early by means of Jordan Larmour. They wanted Ciaran Frawley’s boot to keep up a lead that by no means bought above 4 till the clock went purple, earlier than the alternative fly-half knocked over a 3rd penalty from 60 metres to seal a well-known triumph; it additionally bought Dubliners some portion of revenge for his or her current closing defeats.
Earlier on Sale Sharks bounced again brilliantly from their disappointing defeat by the hands of Harlequins final Friday, because the Premiership leaders scored 22 unanswered factors to beat Stade Francais 28-5 and open their marketing campaign with a complete victory for the second straight 12 months.
Two George Ford penalties had given the Salford facet a slender 6-5 lead at half-time, however regardless of lacking possibilities within the first half they by no means appeared again in a second half that noticed Tom O’Flaherty, Jonny Hill and Sam Dugdale go over, although they did narrowly miss out on the four-try bonus level.
It was a bonus level rating that was wanted for Harlequins to get their win, additionally in opposition to Parisian opposition, as they shocked High 14 leaders Racing 92 within the French capital to make a press release of intent in a match the place they’ve restricted pedigree.
That strive from Jack Walker got here after Andre Esterhuizen, Alex Dombrandt and Marcus Smith – named Man of the Match for the second consecutive sport – had all scored in an exciting attacking efficiency, with the in-form fly-half additionally knocking over a 45-metre drop purpose late within the first interval.
Earlier than that, Leicester notched one more win for a Premiership facet as they too have been impressed by a nice show from their quantity ten. Handre Pollard scored twenty factors that included a strive as Tigers received 35-26 in opposition to the Stormers, establishing Josh Bassett with a superb cross late on to get his facet’s fourth rating and ship them prime of Pool 4.
Problem Cup
The Problem Cup’s opening Sunday noticed the Premiership and High 14’s basement boys face off, as Montpellier – and not using a win since August – travelled to Newcastle, who hadn’t received all season up to now of their home league.
And sadly for the Falcons, they nonetheless have not received this season as they have been overwhelmed 24-19 at Kingston Park by the Provençale membership regardless of making a superb restoration from a dismal first 45 minutes.
Ineffectual assault and delicate defence allowed the 2016 and 2021 champions to burst right into a 17-0 lead, and although Newcastle hit again with quickfire tries from Callum Chick and Iwan Stephens, they as soon as once more missed tackles to permit Sam Simmonds to begin, and end, a superb breakaway strive.
Jamie Blamire went over from a 15-man maul to get Newcastle a dropping bonus level, however it wasn’t sufficient for the Falcons to endure a ninth defeat in a row in all competitions, now and not using a win since beating Caldy within the Premiership Cup in October.
The opposite sport on Sunday noticed Montpellier’s neighbours within the High 14 relegation locations, Perpignan, go up in opposition to the URC’s Lions with the Johannesburg-based membership working out 28-12 winners away from dwelling. Jordan Hendrikse kicked a powerful 23 factors to seal the victory in a scrappy encounter forward of the Lions internet hosting Newcastle at Ellis Park subsequent weekend.
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