Leinster Rugby held on to secure a 16-14 win over Stade Rochelais and remained unbeaten in all competitions this season. Leinster secured their place in the Investec Champions Cup Top 16 with this win.
It was a cagey beginning from the two modern rivals, with a penalty apiece making it 3-3 after 20 minutes.
But a line-out over the top gave Leinster great momentum before Jamie Osborne broke through, span through a tackle and set up Gus McCarthy to canter over for the first try.
Stade Rochelais then had a try chalked off after a knock-on in the build-up, leaving it 10-6 to Leinster at halftime.
Two penalties from Sam Prendergast kept Leinster in front in a tight second half after Gus McCarthy opened the scoring in the first 40, with Antoine Hastoy hitting back from the tee to make it 9-16 on the hour mark.
But Dillyn Leyds finished a phenomenal score for Stade Rochelais, catching a cross-kick before grubbering past the last defender and pouncing on it to score.
The French side were attacking phase after phase with the clock in the red but couldn't break Leinster down, and the Irish province ran out 16-14 winners to make it to the Round of 16.
Scorers:
Stade Rochelais: Try: Dillyn Leyds. Penalties: Antoine Hastoy (3).
Leinster Rugby: Try: Joe McCarthy. Conversion: Sam Prendergast. Penalties: Sam Prendergast (4).
Teams
Stade Rochelais: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jules Favre, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Grégory Alldritt (c), 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Thomas Lavault, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Quentin Lespiaucq, 1 Reda Wardi. Replacements: 16 Nikoloz Sutidze, 17 Alexandre Kaddouri, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Levani Botia, 21 Judicael Cancoriet, 22 Matthias Haddad, 23 Hoani Bosmorin.
Leinster Rugby: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Tommy O'Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jimmy O'Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Cian Healey. Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Jordie Barrett.
