La Rochelle progress to semi-final of Challenge Cup with 22-32 win over Edinburgh

Edinburgh 22-32 La Rochelle, Murrayfield Stadium
Scorecard

Jeremie Maurouard scored a double as La Rochelle put on a dominant first half performance to win the European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh at Murrayfield Stadium by 22-32 on Friday.

The Top 14 team becomes the first side to make it to the semi-final of the tournament and will take on the winner of the clash between Gloucester and Cardiff Blues while Edinburgh's promising run in the tournament has come to an end.

Maurouard gave a head start for La Rochelle with two tries in the fifth and 11th minute with fly-half Brock James adding the extras on both occasions. Edinburgh bounced back with a cross over from centre Phil Burleigh and a conversion from fly-half Jason Tovey cut down the gap to seven points.

However, La Rochelle took the game by the scruff of the neck with a try each from scrum-half Arthur Retiere and wing Steeve Barry while James added his third conversion in the game.

Ross Ford provided some respite for Edinburgh when we went past the line at the stroke of half time during which they trailed by 14 points.

Edinburgh showed more intent in the second half when Hamish Watson crossed over followed by a conversion from Sam Hidalgo-Clyne to bring down the difference to seven points and it further came down to four points when replacement Duncan Weir scored his first penalty which came following a sin-bin to Lekso Kaulashvili.

As the game was heading for a tight finish, James kicked two more penalties in the final 10 minutes to seal a 10 point win for La Rochelle and a berth in the semi-final of the European Challenge Cup.