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Fissler Confidential: Bath secure two England stars, Saracens set to lose another
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Prendergast saves the day for Leinster as Stormers overcome Sacha yellow to win
By PA
LEINSTER WIN AT BAYONNE IN CHAMPIONS CUP
Leinster battled to a 22-13 win at Bayonne which secured home advantage in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup.
Bayonne – who had lost their opening three games, including to both Leicester and Harlequins – took an early lead at Stade Jean Dauger through a breakaway try from Sireli Maqala in the 14th minute before Harry Byrne’s penalty got Leinster, already qualified from Pool 3, on the board.
After Joshua Kenny just failed to take the ball and go over in the corner, a long-range penalty from Joris Segonds put the French side further ahead. Thomas Clarkson then saw his 33rd-minute try disallowed for a double movement as Bayonne went into half-time 10-3 in front.
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Bayonne’s Herschel Jantjies was shown a yellow card in the 49th minute for a deliberate knock on. Leinster made the most of their advantage when Dan Sheehan slid over in the 56th minute and Byrne nailed the conversion to bring the visitors level at 10-10.
Segonds kicked another penalty on the hour to swiftly restore Bayonne’s lead, which looked to have been wiped out when Jimmy O’Brien charged onto a kick from Sam Prendergast and went down in the corner – only for his try to be ruled out by the TMO for failing to ground the ball as he was tackled over the line.
Leinster produced a strong finish as Prendergast latched onto Byrne’s chipped pass under the posts and then Max Deegan crossed in the corner to make sure of another hard-earned win to maintain their 100 per cent record at the top of the group.
LEICESTER’S LAST-16 HOPES IN TATTERS AFTER DEFEAT BY STORMERS
Leicester’s last-16 hopes were left in tatters after a 39-26 defeat by Stormers in Cape Town.
Early tries from Evan Roos and Andre-Hugo Venter put the hosts in control before George Pearson pulled one back.
Some Will Wand magic hauled the Tigers back into the match at half-time and they led by six when Jamie Blamire went over early in the second half.
However, tries from Leolin Zas and JD Schickerling edged the Stormers back in front before Tom Manz scored for Leicester.
But Imad Khan denied the Tigers a losing bonus point when his late try sent Stormers through.
Instead, a losing bonus point against Harlequins on Sunday will be enough for La Rochelle to qualify and knock out Leicester.
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