Leinster, Munster, And Connacht Book Quarter Final Slots
Investec Champions Cup Round of 16, Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle, France 5/4/2025 La Rochelle vs Munster Munster's Craig Casey celebrates scoring a try Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
Leinster racked up 62 unanswered points against Harlequins at Croke Park while Munster edged out Stade Rochelais by a single point in La Rochelle.
Leinster 62 Harlequins 0
Sam Prendergast got the points ticking over for Leinster inside the opening 15 minutes as he swooped in on the in-goal line to mop up the scraps of a powerful move. Harlequins had started brightly but attack after attack failed to breach the Leinster line and it was to be the same for the entire match.
The young star then turned provider just three minutes later as Joe McCarthy found space across the ‘Quins backline to go over.
Jamie Osborne was the next to score for the hosts to extend the lead. Prendergast was on hand to duly convert to take his afternoon tally to nine points and an assist.
A 19-0 lead going into the second-half was soon added to as Leinster stepped things up. Increased ball-speed and passing looked threatening to a Harlequins side in need of inspiration – and it soon showed on the scoresheet.
Leinster’s Josh van der Flier receives the Investec Player of the Match Award – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Nick Elliot
Player of the Match Josh van der Flier went over on the right for Leinster’s first of the half before Garry Ringrose added the side’s fifth on the opposite wing.
It was soon six for Leinster as Dan Sheehan inflicted another score on a Harlequins side all at sea in Dublin before a penalty try deepened Quins’ wounds yet further. The introduction of sub Jordie Barrett did little to remedy the London side’s woes, and a trio of late crosses hit the visitors whilst they were down.
Leo Cullen’s men sent a statement of intent to the rest of the field and ease into next weekend’s quarter-finals. A home tie against either Glasgow Warriors or Leicester Tigers awaits.
Stade Rochelais 24 Munster 25
2,000 Munster fans had descended on La Rochelle under the bright spring sun as Ronan O’Gara’s side, Stade Rochelais, were the ones to start the strongest in front of the sell-out Stade Marcel Deflandre. Tawera Kerr-Barlow thought he had crossed inside the first minute, but a forensic TMO adjudged him to have breached gone into touch in the build-up.
The home side’s early domination continued, and it wasn’t long before Levani Botia bullied his way over to grab his first try of 2025.
Munster wanted one back though and the Munster fans inside were soon out of their seats for five points of their own. Thaakir Abrahams made the most of an Ihaia West yellow card to break free. It was his dizzying run that he then offloaded, setting up scrum-half Craig Casey. A fitting try for a pair both recently back from injury.
Scrum after scrum ensued but it ended up being in overtime that the hosts finally found the difference. West duly converted for Stade Rochelais to send them into the dressing room 10-7 ahead.
Back level within a minute of the restart thanks to a Jack Crowley penalty, Munster certainly started the second-half how they meant to go on.
Just six minutes later Gavin Coombes blocked down a Stade Rochelais clearance to then hunt it down and ground, gifting Munster the lead for the first time in the tie.
Wing Andrew Smith finished off a gritty move down the left to touch down and extend the Irish lead, and that was ultimately a lead that hosts Stade Rochelais were unable to tumble, but not without a spectacular fight.
The hosts were awarded a penalty try 15 minutes from time, but Munster hit back via a spectacular Crowley drop goal to keep them within arms reach.
Munster’s Jack Crowley scores a drop goal – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Hoani Bosmorin then charged onto a kick over the top to tap home which, together with Hastoy’s ensuing conversion, set up an enthralling final three minutes.
Just one point behind for the final stages, the hosts were ultimately left disappointed after a late penalty awarded to Munster in overtime ended any hopes of a comeback.
Munster continue their road to Cardiff, and they will face either Union Bordeaux-Bègles or Ulster Rugby in the quarter-finals.
Connacht 35 Cardiff 20
Connacht booked a Challenge Cup Quarter Final at home to Racing 92 thanks to strong performance at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday evening.
Connacht continued their pool stage form right from the opening stages as Matthew Devine opened the scoring for the hosts in the second minute. Callum Sheedy brought the visitors back to within touching distance thanks to a penalty
Three minutes from time, Rey Lee-Lo crossed for the Welsh side to send them into the lead. But the script had other treats in store, with Connacht scoring well into the red with a try through Sean Jansen to lead 14-8.
Connacht clearly meant business as soon as they came out for the second-half at the Dexcom Stadium. Finn Treacy touched down just a minute after the proceedings were resumed to put breathing distance between the two sides.
Connacht’s Shayne Bolton scores a try despite Cardiff’s Josh Adams – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie
It was distance that Cardiff were determined to recoup, and Ben Thomas was the man to cross on 53 minutes. Josh Adams went one further for the Welsh on the hour mark to bring the deficit to just one point.
Connacht were not be reeled in however, and Shayne Bolton’s try on 66 minutes put more distance between the two and effectively end the tie.
Paul Boyle put the icing on the cake four minutes from time to continue Connacht’s win streak in the EPCR Challenge Cup.