Lions ................ 51 Racing 92 ...... 28

LIONS battled to victory in their first ever Challenge Cup knockout stage game in Johannesburg, crushing Racing 92 despite being down to 14 men from the quarter hour mark.

The win against the Top 14 heavyweights sees them set up a trip to Glasgow Warriors in the last eight next weekend.

It was a wonderful start for the hosts, with tries from Marius Louw and Edwill van der Merwe within the first seven minutes leaving Racing reeling.

But then a red card for blindside Emmanuel Tshituka on 16 minutes looked like it might turn the game in Racing’s favour.

Yet it was the Lions who continued to push, adding tries from Rabz Maxwane and Ruan Venter, on the stroke of half-time.

Louw grabbed his second try ten minutes into the second half, with Gianni Lombard notching the sixth.

Sanele Nohamba, who kicked excellently throughout, got a try as well for personal haul of 18 points.

Ben Volavola and Donovan Taofifenua both got tries back for the visitors but the gap proved too big to close.

Stade F .......... 24 Lyon ................. 41

CHALLENGE Cup holders Lyon had to come from behind twice to win at Stade Français and earn a place in the quarter-finals.

Lyon with face another Top 14 side – Toulon – next weekend as they continue their quest for a second successive title.

Stade Français were in front at the break thanks to a penalty try and a Joris Segonds penalty, but a hat-trick of penalties from former All Blacks fly-half Lima Sopoaga kept Lyon in touch.

And they turned it round in the second half courtesy of a penalty try, and another from Baptiste Couilloud, converted by Sopoaga.

Stade Français edged in front again courtesy of Segonds’s boot, but Lyon once again hit back as Sopoaga slotted two more penalties in quick succession.

And Guillaume Marchand and Ethan Dumortier both followed up with late tries to add further gloss to the scoreline and keep their cup defence alive.