Wing Raymond Rhule and scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow scored two tries each as champions La Rochelle beat Exeter Chiefs 47-28 in Bordeaux on Sunday to book a Champions Cup final place against Leinster.
The May 20 showdown will be a repeat of last year’s decider in Marseille that La Rochelle won 24-21, though this time it is to be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, giving Leinster a home final to savour.
It is also a third final in a row for coach Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle, who were beaten by compatriots Toulouse in 2021.
Centre UJ Seuteni, number eight Gregory Alldritt and hooker Pierre Bourgarit also dotted down as the home side scored seven tries against an out-muscled Exeter team who brought some respectability to their afternoon with two late scores.
Number eight Sam Simmonds, prop Josh Iosefa-Scott, wing Olly Woodburn and substitute hooker Jack Yeandle crossed for the visitors, but in truth they were never in the contest beyond the midway point of the first half.
The 47 points scored by La Rochelle is the most in a Champions Cup semi-final and they took full advantage of numerous handling errors from Exeter that gifted them possession and momentum.
The visitors drew first blood with an early try for Simmonds as he barged his way over the line from close-range.
But after that La Rochelle took command and with their attacking threat constant and from all angles, moved into a 26-7 halftime lead.
South African Rhule raced onto a perfect grubber kick to score unopposed, before incessant pressure saw Seuteni ghost through a defensive gap to dot down.
Exeter’s chances were not helped by a yellow card for hooker Dan Frost and Alldritt picked up at the base of another dominant scrum to score an easy try, before Kerr-Barlow coasted in for his side’s fourth before the break.
It was more of the same in the second half as the home side scored three more, before Exeter added two late tries to put a little gloss on their dismal afternoon.
Earlier on Sunday, French side Toulon beat Benetton from Italy 23-0 to set up a final meeting with Glasgow Warriors in the Challenge Cup. That match will be played in Dublin on May 19.
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