Finalists Shine In Domestic Action
Finalists Shine In Domestic Action
Heineken Champions Cup finalists Leinster and La Rochelle continued their winning ways and preparation for the May 20 showpiece finale at the Aviva Stadium.
Heineken Champions Cup finalists Leinster Rugby and Stade Rochelais continued their preparations for the May 20 showpiece finale at the Aviva Stadium with victories in their respective domestic competitions.
Four-time European champion Leinster, which topped the United Rugby Championship table, came out on top in its domestic quarterfinal against Cell C Sharks, 35-5, as they hunt for a ninth domestic title since the start of the league in 2001.
📸 | Check out the best images from our @URCOfficial quarter-final win over the Cell C Sharks. 💪
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 8, 2023
Full gallery 👉 https://t.co/OCMG7ugrek#LEIvSHA @sportsfile pic.twitter.com/WPYoI8xwPd
Three tries in a 10-minute spell during the first half from EPCR Player of the Year nominee Caelan Doris, Michael Milne and Jordan Lamour – all three converted by Ross Byrne – set the platform for the hosts, who led 21-5 at the interval.
Max Deegan and Jamison Gibson-Park added further tries in the second period, as Leinster extended its lead to 30 – Byrne successful from the tee twice more to take his personal tally to 10.
They’ve set up a URC semifinal with Munster Rugby at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday.
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝐹𝒾𝓋𝑒 for the 2023 EPCR Player of the Year 🥁
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 3, 2023
⭐️ Grégory Alldritt
⭐️ Caelan Doris
⭐️ Antoine Dupont
⭐️ Garry Ringrose
⭐️ Josh van der Flier
Who should win? Vote now 👉 https://t.co/rRIRpmCedR#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/jtkl7eLpNo
Meanwhile, Stade Rochelais moved back to the summit of the TOP 14 with a 23-8 win over EPCR Challenge Cup finalists RC Toulon at the Orange Velodrome in Marseille.
The defending Heineken Champions Cup winners notched a pair of tries in the contest, Will Skelton crossing the whitewash in the first period, before Kyle Hatherall added a second with seven minutes remaining in the second half.
Antony Hastoy added 13 points from the tee – two penalties and three conversions.
La Rochelle has a date with Montpellier Hérault Rugby next Saturday, before traveling to Ireland for the May 20 final.