La Rochelle into third successive semi-final

Eight days after the Rochelais’ escape to victory, the same venue became the physical definition of hell on Earth for a Premiership side.

ALL SMILES: Stade Rochelais' Ultan Dillane celebrates after the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

La Rochelle’s no-prisoners 24-10 bludgeoning of Saracens in Sunday’s Champions Cup quarter-final was a response to their struggles against Gloucester a week earlier, captain Gregory Alldritt said.

Alldritt said the champions had their “hearts set on showing everyone what we’re capable of”, after they had muscled their way into a third straight Champions Cup semi-final. They will face a third Premiership side in as many matches, Exeter, at Bordeaux’s Matmut Atlantique on Sunday, April 30 as they look to make it three finals in a row.