European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup weekend roundup

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Easter weekend saw the second leg of the Last 16 of the European Champions Cup.

The Good Friday fixtures started off with Leinster facing Connacht at the Aviva Stadium Dublin.

Wing James Lowe scored four tries as Leinster comprehensively defeated their fellow countrymen 56-20 to book their place in the quarter- finals of the competition on aggregate 82-41. In addition to Lowe’s four tries, Robbie Henshaw bagged a brace in the victory that saw Leinster overpower Connacht in both legs.

In the battle of both Gallagher Premiership clubs, Sale Sharks overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate 35-29 to go through on aggregate 44-39.

Sale had to battle for the win after Aaron Reed was sent off, but with four tries scored and 15 points from the boot of Robert du Preez, Sharks booked their name into the quarter-finals.

Saturday lunch time saw Harlequins having to claw back a 14 point deficit against the current Top 14 leaders Montpellier at the Stoop.

In the first leg, Quins never recovered from going down 26-0 at one stage, despite a spirited second half fightback, but on Saturday they were quick off the mark after only 34 seconds when Huw Jones crossed.

However, further tries from Yvan Reilhac and Julien Tisseron kept the French sides noses in front.

The compelling contest ebbed and flowed with Quins coming within touching distance of Montpellier when Louis Lynagh dotted down for his second try of the afternoon to pull Quins to within one point on aggregate.

It was then down to Marcus Smith to slot the conversion over to ensure Quins went through to the next round. The fly-half’s kick went wide and the French side were able to celebrate at the end of the game after getting through on aggregate 60-59, despite losing on the day 33-20.

Another British side had to exit the competition at the last 16 stage when Exeter Chiefs were knocked out by Munster 34-23 on aggregate after winning the second leg at Thomond Park 26-10.

Fly-half Joey Carbery kicked 21 points for the Irish side to book their place in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

There was better news for the current Premiership leaders Leicester Tigers as they progressed to the next round after a 27-17 victory over Clermont, with a comfortable 56-27 win on aggregate.

In other European Cup matches, Stade Rochelais recorded a 31-23 win over Bordeaux to go through on aggregate 62-36. Stade Toulousain got the better of Ulster 30-23 on the day at Kingspan Stadium to go through on aggregate 50-49 with Racing 92 beating Stade Francais in an all French tie 33-22, going through on aggregate 55-31.

The quarter final draw will see Stade Rochelais play Montpellier, Racing 92 up against Sale Sharks, Munster face Stade Toulousain and Leicester up against Leinster.

In the European Challenge Cup, London Irish beat Castres 64-27, Wasps won at Biarritz 39-29, Worcester Warriors lost at Lyon 31-17, Newcastle Falcons were beaten at home by Glasgow Warriors 27-17 and Saracens go the better of Cardiff 40-33.

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