Heineken Champions Cup holder Stade Rochelais has reached another final after steamrollering Exeter Chiefs in their semifinal.

We take a look at their journey to a second successive final against Leinster Rugby, this time at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 20.

Round 1: Stade Rochelais 46, Northampton Saints 12

The 2022 Heineken Champions Cup winners started their Pool B campaign at home to Gallagher Premiership side Northampton Saints, running out 46-12 winners. 

The hosts scored six tries, with fullback Brice Dulin, hooker Pierre Bourgarit, flanker Paul Boudehent, wing, Dillyn Leyds, No. 8 Grégory Alldritt and center Ulupano Seuteni all crossing. 

Fly-half Antoine Hastoy kicked 16 points. 

Round 2: Ulster Rugby 29, Stade Rochelais 36 

La Rochelle’s first away trip of the season took them to Ireland, where they earned a second successive victory to start their campaign. 

Fly-half Antoine Hastoy, fullback Brice Dulin and hooker Pierre Bourgarit all dotted down for the TOP14 side, with Hastoy kicking three conversions and five penalties. 

Round 3: Stade Rochelais 7, Ulster Rugby 3 

Irish province Ulster posed a real challenge to La Rochelle when they traveled to the Stade Marcel Deflandre in the Heineken Champions Cup, with the hosts needing a late try to take victory. 

It was replacement Joel Sclavi who got the game-winning 81st minute try- with fly-half Antoine Hastoy converting. 

Round 4: Northampton Saints 13, Stade Rochelais 31 

La Rochelle confirmed top spot in Pool B in their final pool stage match, as they continued their Heineken Champions Cup defense with victory on the road against Northampton.  

Flanker Levani Botia, replacement Quentin Lespiaucq-Brettes (two), No. 8 Grégory Alldritt and center Ulupano Seuteni all went over for the French team. 

Round of 16: Stade Rochelais 29, Gloucester Rugby 26 

La Rochelle needed the home crowd to help overcome Gloucester in a thrilling Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 affair. 

Scores from hooker Pierre Bourgarit, scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow and wing Teddy Thomas (two) were crucial for the 2022 champions, as were nine points from the boot of fly-half Antoine Hastoy.

Quarterfinal: Stade Rochelais 24, Saracens 10 

La Rochelle was imperious in its dismantling of Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup quarterfinal stage. 

Scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow dotted down twice, while fly-half Antoine Hastoy punished Saracens by kicking four penalties and a conversion. 

Semifinal: Stade Rochelais 47, Exeter Chiefs 28 

A dominant performance against Exeter saw La Rochelle book its spot in a third Heineken Champions Cup final in three years and set up a replay of last year’s final against Leinster. 

Wing Raymond Rhule (two), center Ulupano Seuteni, No. 8 Grégory Alldritt, scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow (two) and hooker Pierre Bourgarit powered the holders to the showpiece in Dublin, with fly-half Antoine Hastoy kicking six conversions.