{"id":7916,"date":"2023-04-10T00:32:44","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T00:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/heineken-champions-cup-la-rochelle-24-10-saracens-visitors-lose-quarter-final\/"},"modified":"2023-04-10T00:32:45","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T00:32:45","slug":"heineken-champions-cup-la-rochelle-24-10-saracens-visitors-lose-quarter-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/heineken-champions-cup-la-rochelle-24-10-saracens-visitors-lose-quarter-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Heineken Champions Cup: La Rochelle 24-10 Saracens – visitors lose quarter-final"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>
Saracens’ England international number eight Billy Vunipola was carried off on a stretcher during the first half<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/thead>\n\n\n\n\n\n
La Rochelle: (16) 24<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tries: <\/strong>Kerr-Barlow 2; <\/span>Pens:<\/strong> Hastoy 4; <\/span>Con:<\/strong> Hastoy<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saracens: (3) 10<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Try:<\/strong> Mawi; <\/span>Pen:<\/strong> Farrell; <\/span>Con:<\/strong> Farrell<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Saracens are out of the Heineken Champions Cup after a quarter-final defeat by holders La Rochelle. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Tawera Kerr-Barlow’s two tries either side of half-time helped the hosts set up a semi-final tie against Exeter.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Eroni Mawi burrowed over for Saracens, who lost Billy Vunipola to injury in the first half, but it came too late for the Premiership leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antoine Hastoy kicked 14 points for La Rochelle, while Owen Farrell added a penalty and conversion for Saracens.<\/span><\/p>\n

La Rochelle won the Champions Cup for the first time in 2022 and are aiming to reach a third consecutive final.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their last-four tie against Exeter will be played in Bordeaux, while Leinster will take on Toulouse in Dublin in the other semi-final.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both ties are scheduled for the weekend of 29-30 April, with the final at Aviva Stadium on 20 May.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Improved La Rochelle see off Saracens<\/h3>\n

La Rochelle were <\/span>almost upset by Gloucester in the last 16<\/span><\/a> 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The England international attempted to limp off the field with help from Saracens’ medical team, but was eventually carried off on a stretcher.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

“They were very good at capitalising on any bits of field position they got.<\/span><\/p>\n

“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.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Champions Cup semi-final schedule<\/h3>\n