Lyon edge Wasps to reach first major final in almost 90 years

Wasps bowed out of the European Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage as they were beaten 20-18 by a powerful Lyon side at the Matmut Stadium.

Lyon will face either Toulon or Saracens in Marseille in what will be their first major final since 1933.

Leo Berdeu contributed 15 points for Lyon including a try, while Yanis Charcosset also touched down.

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Pita Pens & More French Wins | Le French Rugby Podcast | Episode 29

Toulouse centre Pita Ahki joins us to discuss the drama of the penalty shootout at the Aviva Stadium, whether he’d have fancied taking one, returning to Dublin to take on Leinster and much more. Plus, Benji reveals he was next in line to take a penalty when Leicester beat Cardiff in a shootout in 2009, we analyse all the European action, chat about the prospect of Eddie Jones moving to the Top 14 and pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD20 at checkout for 20% off any full price item at Meater.com
Head over to daysbrewing.com and use the code RUGBYPASS15 to get 15% off a case of their 0.0% beers

Wasps scored two tries of their own courtesy of Dan Robson and Jimmy Gopperth, who also kicked eight points.

This semi-final may have been played in 30-degree heat, but it did not stop either side from playing the game at a high pace.

Lyon gave Wasps a warning within the first five minutes with a counter-attack which went from one 22 to the other.

Wasps held out on that occasion and had the better of the first half with their set-piece earning them field position.

It took 24 minutes for either side to get on the scoreboard.

A tremendous 50/22 from Jacob Umaga gave Wasps an attacking line-out just five metres out from the Lyon try-line.

With Lyon’s forwards tied into the maul Robson succeeded in sneaking over from short range.

Lyon finally turned pressure into points in the 35th minute with a successful penalty from 40 metres out on an angle from Berdeu.

Wasps took an 8-3 lead into half-time with Gopperth knocking over three points from the kicking tee.

The visitors started the second half like a house on fire with Tom Willis hitting a tremendous angle to charge into the Lyon 22. They lay siege to the Lyon line, but the defence remained intact.

Lyon hit back with arguably the best try scored in this season’s Challenge Cup.

"We've been chasing this for a long time, and to finally be here now, it feels surreal!" ?

Joel Kpoku is almost overwhelmed as @LeLOURugby makes their first European final in almost 90 years! ?#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/WSYFQQoWfs

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 14, 2022

Former New Zealand centre Charlie Ngatai raced clear from deep inside his own half with the ball spread wide to both Baptiste Couilloud and Toby Arnold, who was brought down just outside the Wasps 22.

With the Wasps defence at sixes and sevens Guillaume Marchand’s pass put Berdeu over for a stunning try.

Berdeu converted his own try to push Lyon ahead, but Wasps regained the lead from Gopperth’s boot four minutes later.

But Lyon’s pack had the bit between their teeth with their forwards getting over the gainline with ease.

Former Saracens lock Joel Kpoku charged towards the line, with replacement hooker Charcosset eventually powering his way over from short range.

After missing two penalties Berdeu made it a two-score game with a successful penalty.

Wasps desperately tried to force their way back into the game and Dan Frost had a try disallowed after the television match official spotted Francois Hougaard knocking the ball forward in the lead-up.

Wasps set up a grandstand finish when Gopperth scored courtesy of a well-worked driving lineout.

The New Zealander kicked the conversion to make it 20-18 with four minutes remaining but it was a case of too little too late for Wasps.

Updated: 16.49pm May 14th 2022