Tawera Kerr-Barlow of Waikato puts in a kick in Mitre 10 Cup match against Auckland
Photo: Photosport
Saracens in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup.
Former All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow scored two tries as defending champions La Rochelle elimiated
Saracens in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup.
Kerr-Barlow crossed either side of half-time to help the French hosts subdue the English Premiership leaders 24-10 on Monday.
Eroni Mawi burrowed over in the closing stages for Saracens, who lost Billy Vunipola to injury in the first half, but it came too late for the Premiership leaders.
Antoine Hastoy kicked 14 points for La Rochelle, while Owen Farrell added a penalty and conversion for Saracens.
La Rochelle won the Champions Cup for the first time in 2022 and are aiming to reach a third consecutive final.
Their last-four tie against Exeter will be played in Bordeaux, while Leinster will take on Toulouse in Dublin in the other semi-final.
Both ties are scheduled for the weekend of 29-30 April, with the final at Aviva Stadium on 20 May.
As for Saracens, they must now focus their attention on winning the Premiership title. Mark McCall’s side are already assured of a home semi-final.
La Rochelle were almost upset by Gloucester in the last 16 but this was a much more assured performance by Ronan O’Gara’s side, who defended superbly throughout and took any points on offer from the tee early on.
Hastoy kicked three first-half penalties and scrum-half Kerr-Barlow went over for the first of La Rochelle’s two tries just before half-time, exchanging passes from a ruck to dart over from close range.
After some swift passes created space on the right, the excellent Levani Botia raced clear and set up Kerr-Barlow for his second, which looked to have put the contest to bed.
La Rochelle ended the match with 14 players after full-back Brice Dulin was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle, but their 14-point lead was protected by more outstanding tryline defence.
One downside for the home team was the late injury sustained by former Australia and Sarries lock Will Skelton, who was carried from the field on a stretcher in a neck brace. Saracens replacement Tom Woolstencroft was yellow-carded for making contact with Skelton’s head as he attempted to clear out a ruck.
Sarries will await news of Vunipola’s injury, which forced him off midway through the first period and appeared to be a problem with his right leg.
The England international attempted to limp off the field with help from Saracens’ medical team, but was eventually carried off on a stretcher.
Reflecting on the defeat, McCall told ITV: “Their defence was incredible today. We had a lot of ball and a lot of time down their end, without looking like we were going to score.
“They were very good at capitalising on any bits of field position they got.
“They’re a great team, the European champions and back-to-back finalists. If you want to play against them, you’ve got to be incredibly accurate and we weren’t.”
Champions Cup semi-final schedule
Leinster v Toulouse – Saturday, 29 April, 15:00 BST (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
La Rochelle v Exeter Chiefs – Sunday, 30 April, 15:00 BST (Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux)
– BBC
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