Pool B of the Heineken Cup is wide open with any of the first seven placed teams mathematically still able to end the pool stage in the top 4, and although almost impossible to end at the top of the pool.
The DHL Stormers is the only South African club competing in Pool B and is still looking for 1 log point this coming Saturday when they host ASM Clermont Auvergne, to book their place in the playoffs.
The DHL Stormers secured their second win in Heineken Champions Cup Pool B as they cruised to a 28-14 victory at 13-man London Irish on Sunday. The South African outfit made it back-to-back victories over the Gallagher Premiership side as a penalty try and further scores from Ruhan Nel, Suleiman Hartzenberg and Angelo Davids earned them maximum points in Brentford.
Other Results in Pool B
Alex Cuthbert crossed twice as Ospreys secured a phenomenal 35-29 victory over Montpellier Hérault Rugby in Swansea on Saturday, making it back-to-back wins over the TOP 14 champions in the Heineken Champions Cup. Justin Tipuric and Morgan Morris also dotted down for the Welsh region, with Cai Evans contributing a crucial 15 points from the tee.
Montpellier led on several occasions, but tries from Paul Willemse (2), Bastien Chalureau, Thomas Darmon and Cobus Reinach weren’t enough for the visitors.
Joel Sclavi’s 81st-minute try cost Ulster Rugby a famous Heineken Champions Cup victory over defending champions Stade Rochelais, as they fell to a 7-3 defeat in Pool B at the Stade Marcel Deflandre on Saturday. Sclavi powered over from close range in added time as La Rochelle stole victory from the jaws of defeat in turgid conditions – the weather playing a huge factor in the contest. A Nathan Doak penalty for Ulster had given them a 3-0 lead in a game of very few scoring chances, but the Irish province were unable to hold off the determined hosts in the final seconds of the contest.
Munster Rugby held off a second-half surge by Northampton Saints to complete a thrilling Heineken Champions Cup Pool B double over the Gallagher Premiership side by a 27-23 margin at Thomond Park on Saturday, despite a first-half red card for Jack O’Donoghue. Munster, who now lie fourth, led 24-0 at the interval thanks to a brace of tries from Gavin Coombes and a solo score from O’Donoghue, but the latter’s dismissal gave Northampton impetus in the second period. Tommy Freeman and James Ramm crossed for Saints after the break, with Fin Smith adding 13 points from the tee, but the visitors were unable to get that final score to cap their superb comeback and they had to be content with a losing bonus point which leaves them bottom of the pool.
Sale Sharks were eventually beaten 27-5 by Stade Toulousain in the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday despite offering stern resistance after being reduced to 14 men early on. The Gallagher Premiership were ahead at the break thanks to Akker van der Merwe’s try, but were left with a monumental task against the five-time champions when Cobus Wiese was sent off. Toulouse ultimately took control of the contest through penalties from Melvyn Jaminet, who racked up a personal tally of 17 points, before late tries from Emmanuel Meafou and Guillaume Cramont sealed their victory, and their place in the Round of 16.
Leicester Tigers preserved their 100%-win record in Heineken Champions Cup Pool B and confirmed their place in the Round of 16 as they claimed an impressive 44-29 win at ASM Clermont Auvergne on Friday night. The visitors secured the bonus point through tries from Matt Scott (2), Harry Simmons, Dan Kelly and James Cronin at the Stade Marcel-Michelin. 14 points from the boot of Handré Pollard also proved vital. Clermont were no pushovers and showcased their quality with scores from Bautista Delguy, Etienne Fourcade, Paul Jedrasiak and Anthony Belleau.
