Munster overcame Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle on Saturday to reach the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals, while Franco Smith’s Glasgow set up a clash with Jacques Nienaber’s Leinster.
Flyhalf Jack Crowley kicked 10 points in Munster’s 25-24 win, including an O’Gara-like drop goal, as Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes and Andrew Smith scored tries to extend La Rochelle’s winless run in all competitions to nine games.
Two-time winners Munster will next play either Bordeaux-Begles or Ulster, who meet on Sunday.
“Just phenomenal. We were underdogs but we always knew there was a bit more in us,” Munster captain Tadgh Beirne told Premier Sports. “What a drop goal from Jack, but his overall performance was incredible.”
O’Gara’s side, champions in 2021-22 and 2022-23 under the Irishman, were eyeing a first win since January as Munster, where he spent 16 years and remains the leading scorer, came to a sold-out Stade Marcel Deflandre.
After a tense first half in baking sunshine on the French Atlantic coast, the hosts led 10-7 after Levani Botia scored a try and Ihaia West slotted a penalty either side of Craig Casey’s 25th minute touchdown.
The visitors took control of the dramatic fixture by the 55th-minute.
Ireland flyhalf Jack Crowley kicked a penalty before No 8 Gavin Coombs and winger Andrew Smith crossed to take the score to 22-10 and send the more than 2,000 travelling fans wild.
With a quarter of an hour to go Munster led 25-17 as referee Andrea Piardi awarded a penalty try to the hosts before Crowley’s opportune drop kick.
It became a one-point game with three minutes left when winger Hoani Bosmorin caught flyhalf Antoine Hastoy’s cross-kick. Hastoy converted from the touchline.
But the Irish province held on thanks Beirne’s 80th minute turnover.
Earlier, Crowley’s competitor for the Ireland flyhalf shirt Sam Prendergast scored 11 points as Leinster crushed Harlequins 62-0.
Next weekend they will face Glasgow who crushed double-European champions Leicester 43-19.
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Olly Cracknell gave the English visitors a second-minute lead in Glasgow but the hosts scored the next five tries and finished with six.
Loose forwards Sione Vailanu and Henco Venter scored two tries each. Adam Hastings also touched down and booted 13 points.
Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Getty Images
