Holders La Rochelle survive scare to edge Gloucester

La Rochelle will play Saracens or Ospreys in the quarter-finals

La Rochelle: (15) 29
Tries: Bougarit, Thomas 2, Kerr-Barlow; Pen: Hastoy; Cons: Hastoy 3
Gloucester: (15) 26
Tries: Harris, Clarke, Rees-Zammit; Pens: Twelvetrees 3; Con: Twelvetrees

Gloucester produced an outstanding display but fell agonisingly short of upsetting holders La Rochelle in the last 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup.

But Teddy Thomas went over in the corner for his second try to ensure the French side progressed to the quarter-finals.

Ronan O'Gara's team will face Saracens or Ospreys in the last eight.

Chris Harris and Freddie Clarke went over for Gloucester in a first half that ended level at 15-15.

After falling seven points behind early in the second period, Louis Rees-Zammit's try and two Billy Twelvetrees penalties put the Cherry and Whites on the brink of a famous victory.

The hosts were roared on during a spell of sustained pressure near Gloucester's try-line and eventually spread the ball wide for Thomas to score the match-winning try.

More to follow.

Stormers beat Harlequins despite late rallySharks score 50 in victory over Munster

Exeter Chiefs/Montpellier v Stormers
La Rochelle v Saracens/Ospreys
Leinster/Ulster v Leicester Tigers
Toulouse/Bulls v Sharks

Line-ups

La Rochelle: Dulin; Thomas, Rhule, Danty, Favre; Hastoy, Kerr-Barlow; Sclavi, Bourgarit, Atonio, Lavault, Skelton, Dillane, Botia, Alldritt (c).

Replacements: Lespiaucq, Wardi, Colombe, Sazy, Tanga, Boudehent, Berjon, Reus.

Gloucester: Carreras; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Atkinson, Thorley; Twelvetrees, Varney; Vivas, Blake, Gotovtsev, Clarke, Alemanno, Ackermann, Ludlow (c), Clement.

Replacements: Walker, Elrington, Ford-Robinson, Jordan, Thomas, Morgan, Chapman, May.

Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

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