Scarlets are the first side to secure Champions Cup semi-final spot after victory against La RochelleHalfpenny's 19-point haul, which featured five penalties and conversions of second-half tries from fly-half Rhys Patchell and centre Scott Williams, saw the Scarlets home 29-17. And La Rochelle could have few complaints, despite tries by Romain Sazy and Piarre Boudehent, with scrum-half Alexi Bales kicking a penalty and conversion, and Benjamin Noble converting Boudehent's late touchdown. The Scarlets fielded 11 Wales internationals in their starting line-up under the captaincy of Scotland skipper John Barclay, but La Rochelle were without injured back-row forward Victor Vito and France international centre Geoffrey Doumayrou. La Rochelle, though, finished the half strongly, and Bales made it 12-10 at the interval through an angled penalty, setting up an intriguing second 40 minutes. La Rochelle's heavyweight pack, led impressively by replacement flanker Kevin Gourdon, began to sense dominance, keeping Scarlets pinned inside their own 22.

Source: Irish Independent March 30, 2018 19:07 UTC