Gloucester survive La Rochelle scare to reach Challenge Cup final

La Rochelle 14-16 Gloucester Rugby, Stade Marcel Deflandre
Scorecard

Billy Burns scored all 16 points as Gloucester survived a fightback from La Rochelle to win the European Challenge Cup semi-final encounter by 14-16 at Stade Marcel Deflandre on Saturday.

This will also be the second time in three seasons, Gloucester have reached the final of the European Challenge Cup.

Gloucester capitalised on an early infringement from La Rochelle which saw Jone Qovu Nailiko sin-binned in the seventh minute and Burns scored two penalties in the eighth and 17th minutes, making it 0-6 in favour of the visitors.

Gloucester lock Tom Savage was temporarily sent-off in the 33rd minute with La Rochelle fly-half Brock James adding a penalty each on either side of the sin-bin to level the scores 6-6.

Between 55th and 58th minutes, Burns took the game on its head scoring a penalty and following it up with a converted try to take a 10 point lead for Gloucester.

A penalty kick from James brought down the gap to seven points while Damien Lagrange strolled past the post in the 66th minute to ensure La Rochelle trailed by just two points. James had a golden chance to level the scores but missed out on the conversion as Gloucester sealed a thrilling two point victory.