Investec Champions Cup
La Rochelle (7) 17
Tries: Niniashvili, Nowell, Berjon Con: West
Harlequins (10) 27
Tries: Murley, Green, Lawday Cons: Smith (3) Pens: Smith (2)
Harlequins stunned La Rochelle to claim a home berth in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup and knock out the former champions by denying them a losing bonus point.
A Marcus Smith penalty in the final minute saw Quins to a shock win on the road that also means Leicester Tigers claim fourth place in Pool 3 on points difference.
Tries from Cadan Murley, Tyrone Green and Tom Lawday were all converted by Smith, who spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin during the second half.
La Rochelle took an early lead through Davit Niniashvili, while tries from Jack Nowell and Thomas Berjon in the second half seemed to swing the momentum towards the home side.
Lawday’s try on 73 minutes put Quins 24-17 ahead, and Smith’s late penalty denied La Rochelle a losing bonus point that would have seen them qualify instead of Leicester, silencing the home crowd at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
Despite their tough season domestically in the Prem, Quins finish in second place behind Leinster and will play at the Stoop in the last 16.
More to follow.
La Rochelle: Leyds; Niniashvili, Seuteni, Daunivucu, Bollengier; West, Berjon; Kaddouri, Latu, Atonio (capt), Kante Samba, Boudehent, Jegou, Botia, Cancoriet.
Replacements: Lespiaucq, Wardi, Sclavi, Kuntelia, Alldritt, Fraindt, Favre, Nowell.
Harlequins: T Green; David, Northmore, Bradley, Murley; Smith, Friday; Kerrod, Walker, Delgado, Launchbury, Petti, Cunningham-South, Kenningham, Dombrandt (capt).
Replacements: Riley, Hobson, Williams, Treadwell, Carr, Lawday, M Green, Evans.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
Assistant referees: Clara Munarini (Ita), Alberto Favaro (Ita)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
