Summary

  • La Rochelle to face Exeter Chiefs in semi-final at end of April

  • Tawera Kerr-Barlow scores La Rochelle's two tries either side of half-time

  • Saracens' Billy Vunipola carried off on stretcher in first half

  1. Postpublished at 14 mins

    La Rochelle 6-0 Saracens

    Tawera Kerr-Barlow kicks clear for La RochelleImage source, Getty Images

    Terrific cover defence by La Rochelle keeps Saracens out.

    The hosts then steal the ball and the crowd are off their feet to show their approval.

    It's been some start to this game.

  2. Postpublished at 11 mins

    La Rochelle 6-0 Saracens

    Maro Itoje cuts a great line back against the traffic and Saracens look to move the ball on quickly, but they are penalised for going in off their feet.

    We'll come back for the advantage and Sarries will have another go.

  3. Postpublished at 9 mins

    La Rochelle 6-0 Saracens

    It's been all La Rochelle so far.

    The defending champions have been dominant as they roll through the phases.

    But Saracens have the decision in the scrum and Owen Farrell pumps the ball deep into touch.

    A chance for the visitors.

  4. Missed penaltypublished at 7 mins

    La Rochelle 6-0 Saracens

    This time, the upright denies Antoine Hastoy from the tee as the ball hits the woodwork and comes back into play.

    Nick Isiekwe gathers the loose ball and Saracens can clear their lines.

  5. Postpublished at 6 mins

    La Rochelle 6-0 Saracens

    Death by a thousand cuts?

    La Rochelle have yet another penalty as Saracens hold on in the ruck.

    Yep, you guessed it - another penalty being lined up by Antoine Hastoy.

    Antoine Hastoy places a ball on a teeImage source, Getty Images
  6. Penalty - La Rochelle 6-0 Saracenspublished at 4 mins

    Antoine Hastoy

    Two from two in the early stages.

    It's another simple kick by Antoine Hastoy's standards and the flags are raised.

    Saracens are still to get going.

  7. Postpublished at 3 mins

    La Rochelle 3-0 Saracens

    La Rochelle have made a blistering start.

    Saracens concede another penalty for not rolling away and the hosts point to the posts once more.

  8. Penalty - La Rochelle 3-0 Saracenspublished at 2 mins

    Antoine Hastoy

    First blood to La Rochelle.

    Antoine Hastoy makes no mistake from the tee and the hosts lead by three.

  9. Postpublished at 1 min

    La Rochelle 0-0 Saracens

    Mako Vunipola is swallowed up by a couple of La Rochelle defenders and is penalised for holding the ball on the ground.

    The hosts will have the shot at goal.

  10. Kick-offpublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 9 April 2023

    La Rochelle 0-0 Saracens

    Owen Farrell hoists the ball into the clear blue sky and we are up and running...

  11. Postpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 9 April 2023

    La Rochelle v Saracens (15:00 BST)

    Three of this year's semi-finalists are now known, but there is still some uncertainty.

    We will know the identity of the fourth side through later this afternoon...

    Semi-final draw:

    • Leinster v Toulouse
    • La Rochelle v Exeter or Exeter v Saracens

    Ties are scheduled to be played on 28-30 April.

  12. 'We understand the scale of the challenge'published at 14:57 British Summer Time 9 April 2023

    La Rochelle v Saracens (15:00 BST)

    Mark McCallImage source, Getty Images

    Speaking to BT Sport, Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said: "It's an exciting place to come, home of the European champions and back-to-back finalists. It's a hell of a stadium to come to and we are looking forward to the game. We understand the scale of the challenge.

    "They are a high class team full of good players and are well coached. We want to give it a proper go and be brave. If we are accurate and precise we want to fire a few shots today."

  13. 'We will have to kill a giant to get through'published at 14:56 British Summer Time 9 April 2023

    La Rochelle v Saracens (15:00 BST)

    Speaking to BT Sport, La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara said: "Saracens are a quality team and we understand we will have to kill a giant of this competition to get through.

    "Retaining [the trophy] doesn't interest us. We started from zero last September with a new bunch of boys and a new group. They get a chance for 80 minutes to demonstrate what makes them tick.

    "What we can control is our performance. Our week has been pretty average so we will be tested mentally today by Saracens."

  14. Exeter beat Stormers to go throughpublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 9 April 2023

    Talking of Chiefs...

    Exeter produced their best performance of the season to beat Stormers and seal their place in the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals.

    Tom Wyatt crossed first before Jack Nowell and Olly Woodburn stretched the lead to 21-0 at Sandy Park.

    Sam Simmonds added a fourth after the break to all but seal victory.

    Damian Willemse, Suleiman Hartzenberg and Marvin Orie scored consolations for Stormers, while Jack Yeandle and Tom Cairns added the gloss for Exeter.

    Read more here.

    Exeter celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  15. Exeter await in the semispublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 9 April 2023

    La Rochelle v Saracens (15:00 BST)

    The winners of this will face Exeter in the semi-final.

    If it's La Rochelle, the game will be played in Bordeaux. If it's Saracens, it will be played at Bristol's Ashton Gate.

    Here is what Exeter coach Rob Baxter told BBC Radio 5 Live when asked if Saracens would be their preferred semi-final opponent...

    "I think in a lot of ways that works for everybody, in that it's just up the road for us at Ashton Gate.

    "It's great for our supporters and we can get a lot of people there, and obviously we had a bit of success there in the [2020] final. I think that's the plum tie for the English clubs, to get a really well-supported game at a great stadium.

    "I'm not really too worried about the result, I'll watch it with one eye and maybe have a Sunday glass of wine with my wife because we're not back in until Tuesday."

    BaxterImage source, Getty Images
  16. Team newspublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 9 April 2023

    La Rochelle v Saracens (15:00 BST)

    In case you missed Friday's team news, here's a look at how both sides line up...

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

    Replacements: Lespiaucq, Thompson-Stringer, Sclavi, Sazy, Tanga, Boudehent, Berjon, Thomas.

    Saracens: Goode; Malins, Lozowski, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell (c), Ivan Zyl; M Vunipola, George, Riccioni, Itoje, Tizard, Isiekwe, Earl, B Vunipola.

    Replacements: Woolstencroft, Mawi, Judge, Hunter-Hill, Wray, Davies, Taylor, Lewington.

  17. Sarries make one changepublished at 14:35 British Summer Time 9 April 2023

    La Rochelle v Saracens (15:00 BST)

    Saracens flanker Nick Isiekwe replaces the injured Andy Christie, who broke his arm in the last-16 victory over Ospreys.

    Scrum-half Ivan van Zyl will make his 50th club appearance, while lock Callum Hunter-Hill returns from injury to be named on the bench.

    Holders La Rochelle make two changes to their starting XV.

    Wing Teddy Thomas drops to the bench despite scoring two tries, including a late winner, against Gloucester in the last round.

  18. The scene is setpublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 9 April 2023

    La Rochelle v Saracens (15:00 BST)

    It's the defending champions...

    La rochelleImage source, Getty Images

    Against the three-time winners...

    Owen FarrellImage source, Getty Images

    The prize? A semi-final tie with Exeter...

    Kick off in La Rochelle is at 15:00 BST.