Rollercoaster Saints can’t make it an English treble

ENGLISH hopes of a third team reaching the European Challenge Cup semi-finals yesterday were emphatically dashed as Northampton and Bristol succumbed to French opposition. Saints and Clermont provided the game of the tournament, scoring 13 tries between them at the Stade Marcel Michelin. The home side looked very much in control, heading into the break 22-3 up. But three quick-fire tries from Saints with 20 minutes to go brought the visitors back within touching distance at 37-31. Poor tackling proved to be their downfall as Clermont inflicted their own hat-trick of scores in the final 10 minutes to win 61-38 and seal a semi-final against Harlequins. Earlier in the day, Bristol headed to La Rochelle in high spirits, having won the sides’ group encounter. But the English outfit failed to cope with La Rochelle’s hulking pack, conceding five tries at the Stade MarcelDeflandre in a 39-15 defeat. Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam insisted late injury withdrawals, including Australian wing Luke Morahan, were not the reason for the loss and commended La Rochelle’s firepower. ‘It wasn’t ideal (late dropouts) but that had nothing to do with us losing this game,’ said Lam. ‘You’ve got to look at La Rochelle and the firepower they have. When that crowd gets going, it’s always going to be a difficult day at the office.’ La Rochelle face Sale Sharks in the second semi-final.