Wisniewski’s kicking on point as Lyon book semi-final berth

Jonathan Wisniewski shone as Lyon set up a Top 14 semi-final clash with Clermont Auvergne by edging out Montpellier 21-16 in a tightly contested play-off encounter.

Having finished third in the regular season, Lyon were handed home advantage for Saturday’s match, but found themselves 10-0 down by the 11th minute thanks to Aaron Cruden’s try and five points from the boot of Benoit Paillaugue.

Pierre-Louis Barassi hauled a try back two minutes later, though, and despite missing his resulting conversion attempt, Wisniewski would not slip up again.

Paillaugue’s penalty kept Montpellier ahead at the interval, but having converted two kicks in the first half, Wisniewski was on target again early in the second to nudge Lyon in front.

Cruden kicked over to restore Montpellier’s lead, but the momentum was with the hosts, and Charlie Ngatai found a way through in the 69th minute – Wisniewski adding the extras to send Lyon through despite a late onslaught from the visitors.

C’est terminé ! Le LOU Rugby est en demi-finale de TOP 14 ! Direction Bordeaux, ENSEMBLE !!!#TEAMLOU #TOP14 #DirectionBordeaux #Ensemble pic.twitter.com/8xhL5A4M1K

— LOU Rugby (@LeLOURugby) June 1, 2019

Clermont await in the final four on June 9 in Bordeaux, a day after Racing 92 – who beat La Rochelle on Friday – face Toulouse in the other semi-final.

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