Russell’s dream of Champions Cup glory is ended by La Rochelle
Finn Russell’s hopes of lifting this season’s Heineken Champions Cup are over Racing 92 suffered defeat to La Rochelle in yesterday’s semi-final in Lens.
The Scotland stand-off – who scored a stunning individual try in last week's quarter-final win over Sale – was on the losing side this time as La Rochelle claimed a 20-13 victory to secure their spot in the final for a second successive season.
Russell and his Racing teammates were left to rue missed opportunities as they relinquished a 10-8 first-half lead.
“We didn't go in at half-time as far ahead as we wanted,” Russell told BT Sport afterwards.
“Second half we had a couple of chances, we didn't manage to finish them off. Off their driving maul, we got two yellow cards, they score a penalty try. It was a frustrating game.
“For most of the game I’d say we were the better team but in knock-out rugby it’s the team that has the most points at the end that is the better team, effectively.
“It’s frustrating for us. We put everything into this tournament and we’ve come up short.
“For us we’ve got to get straight back into the league next week. We’ll look at Europe again next year but that will come next saeson. We’ll review the game but we've got to get straight back into next week away to Montpellier and try to win the Top 14 now.”
La Rochelle staged a secondhalf comeback to get the better of their fellow French side and will now face Leinster in a fortnight's time at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Nolann le garrec opened the scoring for Racing with an early penalty and they scored the first try of the game in the 26th minute when Virimi Vakatawa found a gap in the defence to touch down. Le Garrec added the extras.
La Rochelle worked their way back into the game and Ihai awe st' s penalty and gregory Alldritt’s try made the score 10-8 at the break.
A Le Garrec penalty added another three points for Racing 10 minutes into the second half, but La Rochelle took the lead in the 53rd minute after being awarded a penalty try, with Racing's Cedate Gomes Sa sent to the sin bin.
West cemented a spot in the final with a try in the 80th minute.