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Montpellier by a mousehole

A small point difference.

The MHR, winner of the Harlequins in the first leg 40-26 but dominated in the return 33-20 in the return, qualified in extremis for their first quarter-final of the European Cup in nine years (60-59 on the aggregate of both matches).

The leader of the Top 14 offered the reigning English champion, narrowly as the Héraultais played with fire.

But they resisted their indiscipline (16 penalties conceded), a yellow card (Maurouard 68th), a refused try (Smith 71st) and a missed penalty (Smith 78th).

Phew!

The joy of Montpellier, qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Cup, despite their defeat in the second leg (20-33, first leg 40-26) against Harlequins, April 16, 2022 at Twickenham Stadium in London JUSTIN TALLIS AFP

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The UBB is scuttled

Unhappy finalist last season, La Rochelle will play the sixth European quarter-final (Challenge included) in its history.

Winner in the first leg 31-13, the caravel club did the job on the return, without shaking, ahead of UBB (31-16).

The Maritimes were well helped by the third line Ma'ama Vaipulu, excluded after 26 minutes of play for having charged Jonathan Danty, without a ball... Impossible, under these conditions, for the Girondins to close the gap between the two teams.

Especially against an excellent Grégory Alldritt (1 try) and a gala Ihaia West (16 points, including a try).

The referee sends a red card to the Tongan 3rd line of Bordeaux-Bègles Ma'ama Vaipulu, during the round of 16 second leg of the European Cup against La Rochelle, on April 16, 2022 at the Marcel-Deflandre Stadium XAVIER LEOTY AFP

For the men of Christophe Urios, this is the sixth consecutive defeat against the Rochelais.

Ronan O'Gara's proteges continue their way against the MHR, therefore.

Later in the evening, Clermont will try to go up their deficit on the ground of Leicester (29-10), where the Tigers have not lost since June 2021. Finally, Toulouse, the defending champion, will try to catch up in Ulster (26-20) without his "Slamards" Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille and François Cros.

The winner of the derby between Racing 92 and Stade Français on Sunday (22-9 for Ciel et Blanc in the first leg) will meet in the quarterfinals the Sale Sharks, who defeated the Bristol Bears (9-10, 35-29).

© 2022 AFP