La Rochelle quarter-final bound after second-half rout stuns Zebre

La Rochelle stunned Zebre with an exceptional second-half showing to book their place in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

The Top 14 side were 12-6 down at the break but racked up 26 unanswered points after the interval to triumph 32-12.

La Rochelle can still be caught at the top of Pool 4 by Bristol Bears, who face Enisei-STM twice, but their 20 points would be enough to at least guarantee one of three best runners-up spots to make the last eight.

Dany Priso, Arthur Retiere, Levani Botia and Hikairo Forbes all touched down to wrap up the crucial bonus-point victory. 

Last year’s semi-finalists Pau are out after a 35-14 loss to Stade Francais saw them slump to the foot of Pool 2, while Bordeaux-Begles – winners over Sale Sharks last time out – downed Perpignan 34-27 in Pool 3 to maintain their slim hopes of making the last eight. 

Finally, the Dragons thrashed Timisoara Saracens 59-3 in Pool 1 to leave the Romanians still without a point.

Victoire bonifiée des Jaune et Noir face à @ZebreRugby !! #SRZEB #ChallengeCupRugby #FievreSR pic.twitter.com/W5sqXIuNWm

— Stade Rochelais (@staderochelais) January 11, 2019

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