Category: Report

Skipper Johnny Sexton celebrates Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final win against Toulouse in Dublin

Leinster reached their first Heineken Champions Cup final in three years after dethroning Toulouse with an emphatic 40-17 win at the Aviva Stadium.

The defending champions struggled to cope with the pace of the hosts’ attack, with James Lowe, the tournament’s top scorer this season, claiming two of their four tries.

Leinster recovered from Antoine Dupont’s sixth-minute breakaway score to lead 23-10 at half-time. Lowe and Josh van der Flier both touched down and captain Johnny Sexton kicked 13 points.

The unrelenting speed of Leinster’s play left Toulouse, a week on from their penalty shoot-out heroics against Munster, also in Dublin, scrambling to plug leaks and they also lost lock Emmanuel Meafou to the sin bin.

Nonetheless, Tadhg Furlong’s 16th-minute injury-enforced departure was a big blow for the Irish province, with their scrum targeted by Cyril Baille and company.

Lowe’s 49th-minute effort – his 10th of the European campaign – was cancelled out by Toulouse replacement Selevasio Tolofua with 15 minutes remaining.

Ugo Mola’s men kept plugging away, but a closing try from Hugo Keenan, on the back of a Ross Byrne penalty, sealed Leinster’s place in the May 28 decider against either Racing 92 or La Rochelle.

An early Leinster barrage had Toulouse backpedalling, Matthis Lebel doing well to deny Jimmy O’Brien a try before Sexton fired over a penalty.

However, just as the hosts threatened again through Keenan, Dupont charged down Jamison Gibson-Park’s kick and broke free from the Toulouse 22 for a sucker punch score, converted by Thomas Ramos.

Sexton narrowed the gap to 7-6 and, while a break from Caelan Doris had promised more, Leinster were ruthless on the quarter-hour mark.

A line-out maul gave them momentum before Robbie Henshaw carried strongly and Sexton’s inside pass saw Lowe score a seven-pointer on the short side.

Wing James Lowe scored two tries in victory at the Aviva Stadium

Ross Molony sent Sexton through the Toulouse defence just three minutes later, with the fly-half finding Van der Flier, who rolled over the line despite Juan Cruz Mallia’s tackle.

Despite Sexton stretching the lead to 20-7, Toulouse stormed back with a big scrum and Ramos duly cut the deficit with the resulting penalty.

Sexton then punished Francois Cros for going off his feet and, although a cynical Meafou saw yellow following a Garry Ringrose surge, Toulouse survived thanks to an offside call against Henshaw.

The French giants stood firm while down to 14 men, but Leinster stunned them with a try off a Molony line-out steal.

Gibson-Park followed up to charge down Mallia and the attacking waves ended with Sexton’s long pass putting Lowe over on the left.

The gap was out to 20 points after Sexton’s well-struck conversion and Toulouse’s initial attempts off a maul were repelled.

Pita Ahki lifted the Top 14 title holders with a man-and-ball tackle on Sexton and the visitors’ forward power allowed Tolofua to tiptoe over from a lineout drive, with Ramos converting.

Leinster replacement Byrne knocked over the insurance score, though, and Keenan slipped past both Peato Mauvaka and Baille with two minutes left, ensuring Leinster will have a shot at a fifth European title in Marseille.

Skipper Johnny Sexton celebrates Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final win against Toulouse in Dublin

Leinster reached their first Heineken Champions Cup final in three years after dethroning Toulouse with an emphatic 40-17 win at the Aviva Stadium.

The defending champions struggled to cope with the pace of the hosts’ attack, with James Lowe, the tournament’s top scorer this season, claiming two of their four tries.

Leinster recovered from Antoine Dupont’s sixth-minute breakaway score to lead 23-10 at half-time. Lowe and Josh van der Flier both touched down and captain Johnny Sexton kicked 13 points.

The unrelenting speed of Leinster’s play left Toulouse, a week on from their penalty shoot-out heroics against Munster, also in Dublin, scrambling to plug leaks and they also lost lock Emmanuel Meafou to the sin bin.

Nonetheless, Tadhg Furlong’s 16th-minute injury-enforced departure was a big blow for the Irish province, with their scrum targeted by Cyril Baille and company.

Lowe’s 49th-minute effort – his 10th of the European campaign – was cancelled out by Toulouse replacement Selevasio Tolofua with 15 minutes remaining.

Ugo Mola’s men kept plugging away, but a closing try from Hugo Keenan, on the back of a Ross Byrne penalty, sealed Leinster’s place in the May 28 decider against either Racing 92 or La Rochelle.

An early Leinster barrage had Toulouse backpedalling, Matthis Lebel doing well to deny Jimmy O’Brien a try before Sexton fired over a penalty.

However, just as the hosts threatened again through Keenan, Dupont charged down Jamison Gibson-Park’s kick and broke free from the Toulouse 22 for a sucker punch score, converted by Thomas Ramos.

Sexton narrowed the gap to 7-6 and, while a break from Caelan Doris had promised more, Leinster were ruthless on the quarter-hour mark.

A line-out maul gave them momentum before Robbie Henshaw carried strongly and Sexton’s inside pass saw Lowe score a seven-pointer on the short side.

Wing James Lowe scored two tries in victory at the Aviva Stadium

Ross Molony sent Sexton through the Toulouse defence just three minutes later, with the fly-half finding Van der Flier, who rolled over the line despite Juan Cruz Mallia’s tackle.

Despite Sexton stretching the lead to 20-7, Toulouse stormed back with a big scrum and Ramos duly cut the deficit with the resulting penalty.

Sexton then punished Francois Cros for going off his feet and, although a cynical Meafou saw yellow following a Garry Ringrose surge, Toulouse survived thanks to an offside call against Henshaw.

The French giants stood firm while down to 14 men, but Leinster stunned them with a try off a Molony line-out steal.

Gibson-Park followed up to charge down Mallia and the attacking waves ended with Sexton’s long pass putting Lowe over on the left.

The gap was out to 20 points after Sexton’s well-struck conversion and Toulouse’s initial attempts off a maul were repelled.

Pita Ahki lifted the Top 14 title holders with a man-and-ball tackle on Sexton and the visitors’ forward power allowed Tolofua to tiptoe over from a lineout drive, with Ramos converting.

Leinster replacement Byrne knocked over the insurance score, though, and Keenan slipped past both Peato Mauvaka and Baille with two minutes left, ensuring Leinster will have a shot at a fifth European title in Marseille.

Skipper Johnny Sexton celebrates Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final win against Toulouse in Dublin

Leinster reached their first Heineken Champions Cup final in three years after dethroning Toulouse with an emphatic 40-17 win at the Aviva Stadium.

The defending champions struggled to cope with the pace of the hosts’ attack, with James Lowe, the tournament’s top scorer this season, claiming two of their four tries.

Leinster recovered from Antoine Dupont’s sixth-minute breakaway score to lead 23-10 at half-time. Lowe and Josh van der Flier both touched down and captain Johnny Sexton kicked 13 points.

The unrelenting speed of Leinster’s play left Toulouse, a week on from their penalty shoot-out heroics against Munster, also in Dublin, scrambling to plug leaks and they also lost lock Emmanuel Meafou to the sin bin.

Nonetheless, Tadhg Furlong’s 16th-minute injury-enforced departure was a big blow for the Irish province, with their scrum targeted by Cyril Baille and company.

Lowe’s 49th-minute effort – his 10th of the European campaign – was cancelled out by Toulouse replacement Selevasio Tolofua with 15 minutes remaining.

Ugo Mola’s men kept plugging away, but a closing try from Hugo Keenan, on the back of a Ross Byrne penalty, sealed Leinster’s place in the May 28 decider against either Racing 92 or La Rochelle.

An early Leinster barrage had Toulouse backpedalling, Matthis Lebel doing well to deny Jimmy O’Brien a try before Sexton fired over a penalty.

However, just as the hosts threatened again through Keenan, Dupont charged down Jamison Gibson-Park’s kick and broke free from the Toulouse 22 for a sucker punch score, converted by Thomas Ramos.

Sexton narrowed the gap to 7-6 and, while a break from Caelan Doris had promised more, Leinster were ruthless on the quarter-hour mark.

A line-out maul gave them momentum before Robbie Henshaw carried strongly and Sexton’s inside pass saw Lowe score a seven-pointer on the short side.

Wing James Lowe scored two tries in victory at the Aviva Stadium

Ross Molony sent Sexton through the Toulouse defence just three minutes later, with the fly-half finding Van der Flier, who rolled over the line despite Juan Cruz Mallia’s tackle.

Despite Sexton stretching the lead to 20-7, Toulouse stormed back with a big scrum and Ramos duly cut the deficit with the resulting penalty.

Sexton then punished Francois Cros for going off his feet and, although a cynical Meafou saw yellow following a Garry Ringrose surge, Toulouse survived thanks to an offside call against Henshaw.

The French giants stood firm while down to 14 men, but Leinster stunned them with a try off a Molony line-out steal.

Gibson-Park followed up to charge down Mallia and the attacking waves ended with Sexton’s long pass putting Lowe over on the left.

The gap was out to 20 points after Sexton’s well-struck conversion and Toulouse’s initial attempts off a maul were repelled.

Pita Ahki lifted the Top 14 title holders with a man-and-ball tackle on Sexton and the visitors’ forward power allowed Tolofua to tiptoe over from a lineout drive, with Ramos converting.

Leinster replacement Byrne knocked over the insurance score, though, and Keenan slipped past both Peato Mauvaka and Baille with two minutes left, ensuring Leinster will have a shot at a fifth European title in Marseille.

Skipper Johnny Sexton celebrates Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final win against Toulouse in Dublin

Leinster reached their first Heineken Champions Cup final in three years after dethroning Toulouse with an emphatic 40-17 win at the Aviva Stadium.

The defending champions struggled to cope with the pace of the hosts’ attack, with James Lowe, the tournament’s top scorer this season, claiming two of their four tries.

Leinster recovered from Antoine Dupont’s sixth-minute breakaway score to lead 23-10 at half-time. Lowe and Josh van der Flier both touched down and captain Johnny Sexton kicked 13 points.

The unrelenting speed of Leinster’s play left Toulouse, a week on from their penalty shoot-out heroics against Munster, also in Dublin, scrambling to plug leaks and they also lost lock Emmanuel Meafou to the sin bin.

Nonetheless, Tadhg Furlong’s 16th-minute injury-enforced departure was a big blow for the Irish province, with their scrum targeted by Cyril Baille and company.

Lowe’s 49th-minute effort – his 10th of the European campaign – was cancelled out by Toulouse replacement Selevasio Tolofua with 15 minutes remaining.

Ugo Mola’s men kept plugging away, but a closing try from Hugo Keenan, on the back of a Ross Byrne penalty, sealed Leinster’s place in the May 28 decider against either Racing 92 or La Rochelle.

An early Leinster barrage had Toulouse backpedalling, Matthis Lebel doing well to deny Jimmy O’Brien a try before Sexton fired over a penalty.

However, just as the hosts threatened again through Keenan, Dupont charged down Jamison Gibson-Park’s kick and broke free from the Toulouse 22 for a sucker punch score, converted by Thomas Ramos.

Sexton narrowed the gap to 7-6 and, while a break from Caelan Doris had promised more, Leinster were ruthless on the quarter-hour mark.

A line-out maul gave them momentum before Robbie Henshaw carried strongly and Sexton’s inside pass saw Lowe score a seven-pointer on the short side.

Wing James Lowe scored two tries in victory at the Aviva Stadium

Ross Molony sent Sexton through the Toulouse defence just three minutes later, with the fly-half finding Van der Flier, who rolled over the line despite Juan Cruz Mallia’s tackle.

Despite Sexton stretching the lead to 20-7, Toulouse stormed back with a big scrum and Ramos duly cut the deficit with the resulting penalty.

Sexton then punished Francois Cros for going off his feet and, although a cynical Meafou saw yellow following a Garry Ringrose surge, Toulouse survived thanks to an offside call against Henshaw.

The French giants stood firm while down to 14 men, but Leinster stunned them with a try off a Molony line-out steal.

Gibson-Park followed up to charge down Mallia and the attacking waves ended with Sexton’s long pass putting Lowe over on the left.

The gap was out to 20 points after Sexton’s well-struck conversion and Toulouse’s initial attempts off a maul were repelled.

Pita Ahki lifted the Top 14 title holders with a man-and-ball tackle on Sexton and the visitors’ forward power allowed Tolofua to tiptoe over from a lineout drive, with Ramos converting.

Leinster replacement Byrne knocked over the insurance score, though, and Keenan slipped past both Peato Mauvaka and Baille with two minutes left, ensuring Leinster will have a shot at a fifth European title in Marseille.

Skipper Johnny Sexton celebrates Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final win against Toulouse in Dublin

Leinster reached their first Heineken Champions Cup final in three years after dethroning Toulouse with an emphatic 40-17 win at the Aviva Stadium.

The defending champions struggled to cope with the pace of the hosts’ attack, with James Lowe, the tournament’s top scorer this season, claiming two of their four tries.

Leinster recovered from Antoine Dupont’s sixth-minute breakaway score to lead 23-10 at half-time. Lowe and Josh van der Flier both touched down and captain Johnny Sexton kicked 13 points.

The unrelenting speed of Leinster’s play left Toulouse, a week on from their penalty shoot-out heroics against Munster, also in Dublin, scrambling to plug leaks and they also lost lock Emmanuel Meafou to the sin bin.

Nonetheless, Tadhg Furlong’s 16th-minute injury-enforced departure was a big blow for the Irish province, with their scrum targeted by Cyril Baille and company.

Lowe’s 49th-minute effort – his 10th of the European campaign – was cancelled out by Toulouse replacement Selevasio Tolofua with 15 minutes remaining.

Ugo Mola’s men kept plugging away, but a closing try from Hugo Keenan, on the back of a Ross Byrne penalty, sealed Leinster’s place in the May 28 decider against either Racing 92 or La Rochelle.

An early Leinster barrage had Toulouse backpedalling, Matthis Lebel doing well to deny Jimmy O’Brien a try before Sexton fired over a penalty.

However, just as the hosts threatened again through Keenan, Dupont charged down Jamison Gibson-Park’s kick and broke free from the Toulouse 22 for a sucker punch score, converted by Thomas Ramos.

Sexton narrowed the gap to 7-6 and, while a break from Caelan Doris had promised more, Leinster were ruthless on the quarter-hour mark.

A line-out maul gave them momentum before Robbie Henshaw carried strongly and Sexton’s inside pass saw Lowe score a seven-pointer on the short side.

Wing James Lowe scored two tries in victory at the Aviva Stadium

Ross Molony sent Sexton through the Toulouse defence just three minutes later, with the fly-half finding Van der Flier, who rolled over the line despite Juan Cruz Mallia’s tackle.

Despite Sexton stretching the lead to 20-7, Toulouse stormed back with a big scrum and Ramos duly cut the deficit with the resulting penalty.

Sexton then punished Francois Cros for going off his feet and, although a cynical Meafou saw yellow following a Garry Ringrose surge, Toulouse survived thanks to an offside call against Henshaw.

The French giants stood firm while down to 14 men, but Leinster stunned them with a try off a Molony line-out steal.

Gibson-Park followed up to charge down Mallia and the attacking waves ended with Sexton’s long pass putting Lowe over on the left.

The gap was out to 20 points after Sexton’s well-struck conversion and Toulouse’s initial attempts off a maul were repelled.

Pita Ahki lifted the Top 14 title holders with a man-and-ball tackle on Sexton and the visitors’ forward power allowed Tolofua to tiptoe over from a lineout drive, with Ramos converting.

Leinster replacement Byrne knocked over the insurance score, though, and Keenan slipped past both Peato Mauvaka and Baille with two minutes left, ensuring Leinster will have a shot at a fifth European title in Marseille.

Try scorer Yanis Charcosset celebrates Lyon’s victory over Wasps

Wasps bowed out of the European Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage as they were beaten 20-18 by a powerful Lyon side at the Matmut Stadium.

Lyon will face either Toulon or Saracens at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome in what will be their first final in any competition since 1933.

Leo Berdeu contributed 15 points for Lyon, including a try, while Yanis Charcosset also touched down.

Wasps scored two tries of their own courtesy of Dan Robson and Jimmy Gopperth, who also kicked eight points.

This semi-final may have been played in 30-degree heat, but it did not stop either side from playing the game at a high pace.

Lyon gave Wasps a warning within the first five minutes with a counter-attack that went from one 22 to the other.

Wasps held out on that occasion and had the better of the first half, with their set-piece earning them field position.

It took 24 minutes for either side to get on the scoreboard.

A tremendous 50/22 from Jacob Umaga gave Wasps an attacking line-out just five metres out from the Lyon try line.

With Lyon’s forwards tied into the maul, Robson succeeded in sneaking over from short range.

Lyon finally turned pressure into points in the 35th minute with a successful penalty from 40 metres out on an angle from Berdeu.

Wasps took an 8-3 lead into half-time after Gopperth knocked over three points from the kicking tee.

The visitors flew out the traps at the start of the second half, with Tom Willis hitting a tremendous angle to charge into the Lyon 22. They lay siege to the Lyon line, but the hosts’ defence remained intact.

Lyon hit back with arguably the best try scored in this season’s Challenge Cup. Former New Zealand centre Charlie Ngatai raced clear from deep inside his own half, with the ball spread wide to both Baptiste Couilloud and Toby Arnold, who was brought down just outside the Wasps 22.

With the Wasps defence at sixes and sevens, Guillaume Marchand’s pass put Berdeu over for a stunning score.

Berdeu converted his own try to push Lyon ahead, but Wasps regained the lead from Gopperth’s boot four minutes later.

However, Lyon’s pack had the bit between their teeth, with their forwards getting over the gain line with ease.

Former Saracens lock Joel Kpoku charged towards the line, with replacement hooker Charcosset eventually powering his way over from short range.

After missing two penalties, Berdeu then made it a two-score game with a successful penalty.

Wasps desperately tried to force their way back into the game and Dan Frost had a try disallowed after the television match official spotted Francois Hougaard knocking the ball forward in the lead-up.

But the visitors set up a grandstand finish when Gopperth scored courtesy of a well-worked driving line-out.

The New Zealander kicked the conversion to make it 20-18 with four minutes remaining, but it was a case of too little too late for Wasps.

Try scorer Yanis Charcosset celebrates Lyon’s victory over Wasps

Wasps bowed out of the European Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage as they were beaten 20-18 by a powerful Lyon side at the Matmut Stadium.

Lyon will face either Toulon or Saracens at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome in what will be their first final in any competition since 1933.

Leo Berdeu contributed 15 points for Lyon, including a try, while Yanis Charcosset also touched down.

Wasps scored two tries of their own courtesy of Dan Robson and Jimmy Gopperth, who also kicked eight points.

This semi-final may have been played in 30-degree heat, but it did not stop either side from playing the game at a high pace.

Lyon gave Wasps a warning within the first five minutes with a counter-attack that went from one 22 to the other.

Wasps held out on that occasion and had the better of the first half, with their set-piece earning them field position.

It took 24 minutes for either side to get on the scoreboard.

A tremendous 50/22 from Jacob Umaga gave Wasps an attacking line-out just five metres out from the Lyon try line.

With Lyon’s forwards tied into the maul, Robson succeeded in sneaking over from short range.

Lyon finally turned pressure into points in the 35th minute with a successful penalty from 40 metres out on an angle from Berdeu.

Wasps took an 8-3 lead into half-time after Gopperth knocked over three points from the kicking tee.

The visitors flew out the traps at the start of the second half, with Tom Willis hitting a tremendous angle to charge into the Lyon 22. They lay siege to the Lyon line, but the hosts’ defence remained intact.

Lyon hit back with arguably the best try scored in this season’s Challenge Cup. Former New Zealand centre Charlie Ngatai raced clear from deep inside his own half, with the ball spread wide to both Baptiste Couilloud and Toby Arnold, who was brought down just outside the Wasps 22.

With the Wasps defence at sixes and sevens, Guillaume Marchand’s pass put Berdeu over for a stunning score.

Berdeu converted his own try to push Lyon ahead, but Wasps regained the lead from Gopperth’s boot four minutes later.

However, Lyon’s pack had the bit between their teeth, with their forwards getting over the gain line with ease.

Former Saracens lock Joel Kpoku charged towards the line, with replacement hooker Charcosset eventually powering his way over from short range.

After missing two penalties, Berdeu then made it a two-score game with a successful penalty.

Wasps desperately tried to force their way back into the game and Dan Frost had a try disallowed after the television match official spotted Francois Hougaard knocking the ball forward in the lead-up.

But the visitors set up a grandstand finish when Gopperth scored courtesy of a well-worked driving line-out.

The New Zealander kicked the conversion to make it 20-18 with four minutes remaining, but it was a case of too little too late for Wasps.

Try scorer Yanis Charcosset celebrates Lyon’s victory over Wasps

Wasps bowed out of the European Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage as they were beaten 20-18 by a powerful Lyon side at the Matmut Stadium.

Lyon will face either Toulon or Saracens at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome in what will be their first final in any competition since 1933.

Leo Berdeu contributed 15 points for Lyon, including a try, while Yanis Charcosset also touched down.

Wasps scored two tries of their own courtesy of Dan Robson and Jimmy Gopperth, who also kicked eight points.

This semi-final may have been played in 30-degree heat, but it did not stop either side from playing the game at a high pace.

Lyon gave Wasps a warning within the first five minutes with a counter-attack that went from one 22 to the other.

Wasps held out on that occasion and had the better of the first half, with their set-piece earning them field position.

It took 24 minutes for either side to get on the scoreboard.

A tremendous 50/22 from Jacob Umaga gave Wasps an attacking line-out just five metres out from the Lyon try line.

With Lyon’s forwards tied into the maul, Robson succeeded in sneaking over from short range.

Lyon finally turned pressure into points in the 35th minute with a successful penalty from 40 metres out on an angle from Berdeu.

Wasps took an 8-3 lead into half-time after Gopperth knocked over three points from the kicking tee.

The visitors flew out the traps at the start of the second half, with Tom Willis hitting a tremendous angle to charge into the Lyon 22. They lay siege to the Lyon line, but the hosts’ defence remained intact.

Lyon hit back with arguably the best try scored in this season’s Challenge Cup. Former New Zealand centre Charlie Ngatai raced clear from deep inside his own half, with the ball spread wide to both Baptiste Couilloud and Toby Arnold, who was brought down just outside the Wasps 22.

With the Wasps defence at sixes and sevens, Guillaume Marchand’s pass put Berdeu over for a stunning score.

Berdeu converted his own try to push Lyon ahead, but Wasps regained the lead from Gopperth’s boot four minutes later.

However, Lyon’s pack had the bit between their teeth, with their forwards getting over the gain line with ease.

Former Saracens lock Joel Kpoku charged towards the line, with replacement hooker Charcosset eventually powering his way over from short range.

After missing two penalties, Berdeu then made it a two-score game with a successful penalty.

Wasps desperately tried to force their way back into the game and Dan Frost had a try disallowed after the television match official spotted Francois Hougaard knocking the ball forward in the lead-up.

But the visitors set up a grandstand finish when Gopperth scored courtesy of a well-worked driving line-out.

The New Zealander kicked the conversion to make it 20-18 with four minutes remaining, but it was a case of too little too late for Wasps.

Try scorer Yanis Charcosset celebrates Lyon’s victory over Wasps

Wasps bowed out of the European Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage as they were beaten 20-18 by a powerful Lyon side at the Matmut Stadium.

Lyon will face either Toulon or Saracens at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome in what will be their first final in any competition since 1933.

Leo Berdeu contributed 15 points for Lyon, including a try, while Yanis Charcosset also touched down.

Wasps scored two tries of their own courtesy of Dan Robson and Jimmy Gopperth, who also kicked eight points.

This semi-final may have been played in 30-degree heat, but it did not stop either side from playing the game at a high pace.

Lyon gave Wasps a warning within the first five minutes with a counter-attack that went from one 22 to the other.

Wasps held out on that occasion and had the better of the first half, with their set-piece earning them field position.

It took 24 minutes for either side to get on the scoreboard.

A tremendous 50/22 from Jacob Umaga gave Wasps an attacking line-out just five metres out from the Lyon try line.

With Lyon’s forwards tied into the maul, Robson succeeded in sneaking over from short range.

Lyon finally turned pressure into points in the 35th minute with a successful penalty from 40 metres out on an angle from Berdeu.

Wasps took an 8-3 lead into half-time after Gopperth knocked over three points from the kicking tee.

The visitors flew out the traps at the start of the second half, with Tom Willis hitting a tremendous angle to charge into the Lyon 22. They lay siege to the Lyon line, but the hosts’ defence remained intact.

Lyon hit back with arguably the best try scored in this season’s Challenge Cup. Former New Zealand centre Charlie Ngatai raced clear from deep inside his own half, with the ball spread wide to both Baptiste Couilloud and Toby Arnold, who was brought down just outside the Wasps 22.

With the Wasps defence at sixes and sevens, Guillaume Marchand’s pass put Berdeu over for a stunning score.

Berdeu converted his own try to push Lyon ahead, but Wasps regained the lead from Gopperth’s boot four minutes later.

However, Lyon’s pack had the bit between their teeth, with their forwards getting over the gain line with ease.

Former Saracens lock Joel Kpoku charged towards the line, with replacement hooker Charcosset eventually powering his way over from short range.

After missing two penalties, Berdeu then made it a two-score game with a successful penalty.

Wasps desperately tried to force their way back into the game and Dan Frost had a try disallowed after the television match official spotted Francois Hougaard knocking the ball forward in the lead-up.

But the visitors set up a grandstand finish when Gopperth scored courtesy of a well-worked driving line-out.

The New Zealander kicked the conversion to make it 20-18 with four minutes remaining, but it was a case of too little too late for Wasps.

Try scorer Yanis Charcosset celebrates Lyon’s victory over Wasps

Wasps bowed out of the European Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage as they were beaten 20-18 by a powerful Lyon side at the Matmut Stadium.

Lyon will face either Toulon or Saracens at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome in what will be their first final in any competition since 1933.

Leo Berdeu contributed 15 points for Lyon, including a try, while Yanis Charcosset also touched down.

Wasps scored two tries of their own courtesy of Dan Robson and Jimmy Gopperth, who also kicked eight points.

This semi-final may have been played in 30-degree heat, but it did not stop either side from playing the game at a high pace.

Lyon gave Wasps a warning within the first five minutes with a counter-attack that went from one 22 to the other.

Wasps held out on that occasion and had the better of the first half, with their set-piece earning them field position.

It took 24 minutes for either side to get on the scoreboard.

A tremendous 50/22 from Jacob Umaga gave Wasps an attacking line-out just five metres out from the Lyon try line.

With Lyon’s forwards tied into the maul, Robson succeeded in sneaking over from short range.

Lyon finally turned pressure into points in the 35th minute with a successful penalty from 40 metres out on an angle from Berdeu.

Wasps took an 8-3 lead into half-time after Gopperth knocked over three points from the kicking tee.

The visitors flew out the traps at the start of the second half, with Tom Willis hitting a tremendous angle to charge into the Lyon 22. They lay siege to the Lyon line, but the hosts’ defence remained intact.

Lyon hit back with arguably the best try scored in this season’s Challenge Cup. Former New Zealand centre Charlie Ngatai raced clear from deep inside his own half, with the ball spread wide to both Baptiste Couilloud and Toby Arnold, who was brought down just outside the Wasps 22.

With the Wasps defence at sixes and sevens, Guillaume Marchand’s pass put Berdeu over for a stunning score.

Berdeu converted his own try to push Lyon ahead, but Wasps regained the lead from Gopperth’s boot four minutes later.

However, Lyon’s pack had the bit between their teeth, with their forwards getting over the gain line with ease.

Former Saracens lock Joel Kpoku charged towards the line, with replacement hooker Charcosset eventually powering his way over from short range.

After missing two penalties, Berdeu then made it a two-score game with a successful penalty.

Wasps desperately tried to force their way back into the game and Dan Frost had a try disallowed after the television match official spotted Francois Hougaard knocking the ball forward in the lead-up.

But the visitors set up a grandstand finish when Gopperth scored courtesy of a well-worked driving line-out.

The New Zealander kicked the conversion to make it 20-18 with four minutes remaining, but it was a case of too little too late for Wasps.