South African No 8 Juarno Augustus scored two tries in the Northampton Saints’ hammering of Clermont on Friday to reach the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.
England winger Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick in a 37-minute spell having also crossed in every game of this year’s Six Nations and last week’s English Premiership loss at Sale, while England No 8 Henry Pollock scored Saints’ other try in their 46-24 victory.
The French visitors were denied a first spot in the last eight since 2021 despite leading 10-0 after 13 minutes.
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Two first-half yellow cards for lock Thomas Ceyte and Sebastien Bezy cost Les Jaunards dearly.
The three-time former runners up were also hampered by injury blows as they lost winger Bautista Delguy and iconic captain Fritz Lee to serious-looking problems.
Saints will host the winners of Benetton’s trip to Castres, who face each other on Saturday, in next weekend’s quarters.
Saturday’s highlight, though, will be a Ronan O’Gara derby as the La Rochelle director of rugby welcomes his former team Munster to western France.
More than 2,000 fans have travelled from Ireland from the game as O’Gara eyes a first win in all competitions since January.
On Sunday, six-time champions and holders Toulouse face the Sale Sharks after top seeds from the pool stage Bordeaux-Begles host 1998-99’s winners Ulster.
Champions Cup round-of-16 fixtures:
Saturday
Toulon vs Saracens (1.30pm)
Leinster vs Harlequins (4pm)
Castres vs Benetton (4pm)
La Rochelle vs Munster (6.30pm)
Glasgow vs Leicester (9pm)
Sunday
Bordeaux vs Ulster (1.30pm)
Toulouse vs Sale (4pm)
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