European review: Bath heartbreak in semi-final
A review of this weekend's semi-final action in the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
European Champions Cup: SF Results
Click on each scoreline for a full report & reaction
Saturday April 22
Sunday April 23
European Challenge Cup: SF Results
Click on each scoreline for a full report & reaction
Saturday April 22
Sunday April 23
European Champions Cup round-up
Clermont Auvergne will face Saracens in the final of the European Champions Cup after the French side claimed a 27-22 semi-final victory over Leinster at the Matmut Gerland Stadium.
The last-four clash saw Clermont dominate the first period and score tries from Peceli Yato and former England wing David Strettle.
But in the second, Leinster came roaring back and four penalties from British and Irish Lion Johnny Sexton put them in with a chance of victory. The game's crucial moment came when a visiting try for Dan Leavy was ruled out and Clermont moved further clear.
Morgan Parra's second penalty of the day and two sublime Camille Lopez drop-goals proved enough in the end, despite Garry Ringrose's sensational late effort, and the French side now have the chance to stop Saracens recording a second consecutive European crown at Murrayfield on May 13.
Saracens stormed into the final after absorbing Munster's first-half onslaught before powering to a 26-10 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
The champions will defend their crown in Edinburgh on May 13 against either Clermont or Leinster, who meet on Sunday, as their quest to repeat last season's European and Aviva Premiership double edges closer to reality.
Munster dominated the first half yet trailed 6-3 at the interval and from the moment play resumed in Dublin they were squeezed out of contention, surely marvelling at their opponents' ability to soak up endless pressure.
Mako Vunipola's 54th-minute try was the pivotal act that put Saracens two scores ahead and from that moment it was a procession punctuated by the occasional feverish attack from the Irish province.
Replacement wing Chris Wyles added a second try and through Owen Farrell kicking 16 points in an immaculate afternoon from the tee, they were able to equal Leinster's unbeaten European record numbering 16 matches.
European Challenge Cup round-up
George Ford missed a penalty with the last kick of the game as Bath suffered a 28-25 defeat to Stade Francais in a dramatic European Challenge Cup semi-final in Paris.
At 18-6 down, Bath staged a remarkable second-half comeback as tries from Semesa Rokoduguni, Robbie Fruean and Elliott Stooke put them back into the lead.
But - in a remarkable final quarter - the game swung back and forth as Hugh Pyle's try and a conversion and drop goal from Jules Plisson put Stade ahead.
There was still time for Bath to try to send the game into extra-time, but Ford missed from the tee in time added on to leave Stade to celebrate reaching the final.
Billy Burns scored all of Gloucester's points as they claimed their place in the final with a tense 16-14 victory at La Rochelle.
La Rochelle were on a 15-match unbeaten run at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, but that streak came to an end as Gloucester put up a remarkable display of defensive resilience.
David Humphreys' side's tackling was near immaculate in what was a ferocious encounter, Burns registering all of their points by converting his own try and kicking three penalties.
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