European Rugby Champions Cup: La Rochelle 16-7 Harlequins

La Rochelle's Mathieu Tanguy tries to find a way through

Champions Cup debutants La Rochelle withstood second-half pressure from Harlequins to clinch a place in the quarter-finals.

The French side's win, combined with Wasps' bonus-point victory over Ulster, meant they leapfrogged the Irish side to take top spot in Pool One.

Tries from Pierre Aguillon and Kini Murimurivalu had put the home side in control at the break.

But spirited Quins denied La Rochelle a bonus point and a home quarter-final.

The French side must now travel to Pool Five winners Scarlets in the last eight.

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An already under-strength Harlequins side were further hampered by the withdrawal of England and Lions prop Kyle Sinckler after he failed a late fitness test.

And their opponents got off to a fast start when Aguillon raced over as Quins finally buckled after a long period defending their line.

There was a second try for the hosts before half-time when prop Dany Priso dummied his way into the 22 and sent full-back Murimurivalu over in the left corner.

But Quins were galvanised in the second half, and scrum-half Danny Care sniped his way over from a few metres out before England apprentice fly-half Marcus Smith added the conversion to bring the visitors back in the contest.

La Rochelle endured a late onslaught from the visitors but Quins could not find a way over from close range, notably when Ross Chisholm was tackled inches short by Botia Veivuke.

La Rochelle: Murimurivalu; Ranger, Jordaan, Aguillon, Rattez; Sinzelle, Bales; Priso, Bourgarit, Atonio, Eaton, Tanguy, Botia, Amosa, Vito.

Replacements: Orioli, Kaulashvili, Demotte, Sazy, Kerr Barlow, Nobles, Roudil.

Harlequins: Prior; R Chisholm, Alofa, Lang, Visser; Smith, Care; Boyce, Ward, Swainston, Merrick, Glynn, J Chisholm, White, Luamanu.

Replacements: Elia, Lambert, McNulty, Matthews, Lamb, Lewis, Marchant, Morris.

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