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Thursday
14:00
Investec Champions CupLa RochelleMontpellierIhaia West

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle beat Montpellier to reach Champions Cup semis

By PA
La Rochelle's Fijian centre Levani Botia eyes the ball during the European Rugby Champions Cup round of 8 rugby union match between Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle) and Montpellier Herault Rugby at the Marcel Flandreau Stadium in La Rochelle (Photo by XAVIER LEOTY/AFP via Getty Images)

La Rochelle booked their place in the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals with a 31-19 win over Montpellier at the Stade Marcel Deflandre.

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Dany Priso scored under the posts to settle the hosts, with Ihaia West converting and also adding a penalty inside the opening 20 minutes.

Victor Vito went over to further extend the lead, with West again adding the additional points.

Montpellier gave themselves hope heading into the break with a try from prop Henry Thomas, which was converted by Louis Foursans-Bourdette to reduce the deficit to 17-7.

The visitors continued their momentum as Yvan Reilhac drove over from a loose ball, but Levani Botia’s try in the corner soon restored La Rochelle’s cushion.

A try from Zach Mercer on the left flank kept Montpellier in touch before West landed three penalties, taking his total points tally to 16, to push La Rochelle through to a semi-final against either Top 14 rivals Racing 92 or Sale Sharks.

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Comments on RugbyPass

T
Tom 5 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

Completely and utterly agree mate. The whole George Ford kick substitution issue pales into significance compared to the issue that we didn't get anywhere near the bloody tryline except with an interception. Our attack is nonexistent. If we're only getting a maximum of 3 points on an entry to the red zone it doesn't matter who's on the damn bench! Borthers and Wigglesworth spent their careers trotting after kicks and taking set pieces, that's how they think rugby should be played. The scoreline was incredibly flattering, England were poor.

11 Go to comments
H
HJ 10 minutes ago
The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim

Best article ever

1 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 20 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

You can’t knock the defence.


The entire England defence was on the wrong side of the break down.

England conceded three tries. There defence was poor. And they only scored one (intercept) try. So their much lauded attack was also poor.


England are worse than they were last year.

11 Go to comments
f
fl 24 minutes ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

That's what you get with Smith! He's still a player who is more likely to provide a moment of brilliance than a well structured attack.


Meanwhile Ford is someone who will give you brilliant phase play throughout a test match, but he's not fast enough to properly take advantage of a tired defence in the last 20 minutes.


Picking Smith to start and Ford off the bench, rather than the other way around, or giving either one of them the full 80, is a baffling decision.

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 37 minutes ago
Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss

I’d love to be a fly on the wall at the next England team meeting.


Reckon Felix Jones will keep his camera off ”to save bandwidth”.

65 Go to comments
D
DA 38 minutes ago
Jake White: It isn't only the All Blacks who have lost their aura

so what???? They also beat 4 of the worlds top 5 sides to win the world cup which your team could not do.

20 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 39 minutes ago
Scotland vs South Africa | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

This is going to be a tough old match at Scottish gas stadium.


The boks will need to be sharp and well prepared. Can’t be complacent.


But then they can relax for their easy game against England.


Boks by 10.

1 Go to comments
f
fl 39 minutes ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

I think everyone is aware that Ford is poor defensively. He's actually improved significantly recently, and looked really strong in the tackle in the six nations, but still I think if we're judging fly-halves purely on their defence, Ford is a long way off the standard set by Farrell, Smith, and Smith.


But that isn't why he keeps getting picked. Its because of what an incredible attacking fly-half he's been for over a decade.

18 Go to comments
D
DA 43 minutes ago
Jake White: It isn't only the All Blacks who have lost their aura

"If the Boks are not switched on 100% against the top 8/9 teams, they could lose." This applies to every other team as well, not just the Boks

20 Go to comments
D
DA 45 minutes ago
Jake White: It isn't only the All Blacks who have lost their aura

you lot with the Irish are the biggest boasters and so you do care about your"aura"

20 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 48 minutes ago
Ireland vs New Zealand | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

New Zealand by 1.


Please God.


And if an Irishman so much as farts during the haka - I’m going to write a strongly worded complaint in the comments section. Possibly convulse from outrage.

1 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 51 minutes ago
Australia vs England | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

Wallabies by 3.


And a final nail in the coffin for SB?

1 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 57 minutes ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

At no point with 12 minutes to go, if you paused the game and said to everyone that it’s going to come down to a moment at the end, a five-metre scrum and a drop goal to win it, everyone would have gone ‘Nah, England will see this out.’


Half the problem I think. Complacency.

1 Go to comments
M
Mark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

The reason that Borthwick is currently escaping more intense scrutiny Is simply because of the recent exodus from his coaching team, with Aled Walters and Felix jones choosing to jump ship, the RFU can't now appear to be doubting the wisdom of Borthwicks appointment.

If England do end up with a 50% win ratio from this series, then surely questions must be asked.

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Stuart Hogg pleads guilty to domestic abuse

Keys to the city

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Stuart Hogg pleads guilty to domestic abuse

What a gentleman.

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

Eddie cooked his own goose being outspoken and, well, Eddie.


Bothwick and senior players have been cooing in their public’s ears promises of great things to come. But that’s started to wear thin as I expected it would when they start to drop games at home.

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

I wouldn’t call any of the English flyhalves world class at this point.

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

I think the public and media are hanging on to hope that things turn. But a few more losses and the media will tear Birthwick and this team to shreds. They’ve been strangley subdued up to now. But I thinks it’s because theyre terrified of the consequence of England changing coaches again!


And besides. Who would want the job? Only someone who has no desire to coach internationally ever again. Or a complete renegade with nothing to lose, a madman (or an idiot). Clive Woodward? 🤷🏿‍♂️

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

56% win ratio in 2023.

44% in 2024.


I’m pretty certain Australia will beat England.


💩🪭


Borthwick is a mistake.

18 Go to comments
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