Newcastle knocked out by much-changed La Rochelle

La Rochelle dropped into the Challenge Cup after finishing fifth in their Champions Cup pool [Getty Images] ECPR Challenge Cup Newcastle Red Bulls (8) 18 Tries: E. Obatoyinbo, McCallum Con: Connon Pens: Connon 2 La Rochelle (15) 26 Tries: West, Favre, Garault, Couillaud Pens: Jurd 2 Newcastle Red Bulls were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by a late burst from much-changed La Rochelle. The French giants, Champions Cup winners in 2022 and 2023, came through some awful weather conditions at Kingston Park to book a quarter-final trip to Ulster next weekend.

Three tries in 13 minutes in the first half through Ihaia West, Jules Favre and Gabin Garault put La Rochelle 12 points up. But with Newcastle a man extra, scores from Elliott Obatoyinbo and Murray McCallum brought the game level at 15-15. A Brett Connon penalty put the Red Bulls ahead before Diego Jurd kicked two of his own and then Nolhann Couillaud's try in the final minute ended a disappointing evening for the home side.

Feyi-Waboso stars as Exeter hold off Munster charge Despite their European pedigree, La Rochelle were disappointing in the Champions Cup this season, culminating in a surprise home loss to Harlequins, which knocked them down into this competition. The French giants are currently ninth in the Top 14 and head coach, former Ireland fly-half, Ronan O'Gara showed where the priorities are by making 13 changes from the side that lost to Bayonne seven days ago, with absentees including France scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec, Australia lock Will Skelton and ex-England winger Jack Nowell. Newcastle have only won once in the Prem to sit bottom, but they have really targeted the Challenge Cup, winning three of their four pool matches to earn this home tie as they chased a first quarter-final for five years.

Connon's early penalty put the Red Bulls on the board, but three tries in 13 minutes put the French side in control. West superbly touched down Adrien Seguret's delicate grubber kick, winger Favre finished well in the corner and then hooker Garault scored on the blindside after Newcastle were caught cold at a line-out. But New Zealand full-back West was sin-binned for a tackle off the ball and with a man extra, the home side brought themselves level either side of the break.