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Leicester secure home quarter-final, Cardiff out despite Calvisano rout
Leicester lost 24-17 to Pau but still banked a home quarter-final in the Challenge Cup. The Tigers went down for the first time in six pool games but Tom Hardwick’s last-minute penalty earned them a crucial losing bonus point in a match where Manu Tuilagi returned to action.
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They had already won Pool Five but only the best four pool winners are at home in the last eight, with Hardwick’s penalty booking a Welford Road clash. Ben White and Noel Reid grabbed tries for the visitors, who trailed 24-7 at the break.
In the other Pool Five game, Cardiff Blues routed Calvisano 64-3 but still went out. Lewis Jones scored a hat-trick and Lloyd Williams got two, with Olly Robinson, Shane Lewis Hughes, Will Boyde, Aled Summerhill and Ethan Hughes all going over. But Pau’s win against the Tigers took the qualifying spot away from the Blues.
Bordeaux routed already-eliminated Wasps 27-0 at the Ricoh Arena. Wasps made ten changes against the unbeaten pool winners for their final game. Nans Ducuing, Ulupano Seuteni and Beka Gorgadze scored tries for the visitors. Wasps finished third in Pool Three, with Edinburgh winning 36-0 against bottom side Agen.
In Pool Four Bristol were held 7-7 at Zebre and Brive beat Stade Francais 33-29. Harry Randall’s late converted try earned Bristol a draw against 14-man Zebre. The hosts played the final 16 minutes a man down after flanker Johan Meyer was dismissed.
– Press Association
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