Munster secure home quarter-final

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Munster, Racing 92 and La Rochelle all booked their places in the European Champions Cup playoffs, while Wasps missed out despite beating Ulster.

Johann van Graan’s Munster claimed an emphatic 48-3 victory against Castres to top Pool 4 and book a home quarter-final against Toulon.

Scrumhalf Rory Kockott put Castres in front with an early penalty, but that’s as good as it got for the visitors.

Two penalties from flyhalf Ian Keatley and left wing Keith Earls’ try gave Munster a 13-3 half-time lead.

Hooker Rhys Marshall’s try effectively sealed the hosts’ place in the playoffs, with a penalty try and tries from fullback Simon Zebo, and replacements Alex Wootton and James Cronin completing the rout.

WRAP: Duane’s Toulon into quarters despite loss

Staying in Pool 4, Racing secured a home quarter-final with a nervy 23-20 win against the Leicester Tigers. Racing led 14-0 early in the match, but finished it having to defend their line as the Tigers launched wave after wave of attack.

In Pool 1, Willie le Roux put on an attacking masterclass as Wasps beat Ulster 26-7. Le Roux’s well-timed chip over the defence created a try and he scored one himself.

However, neither side progressed to the playoffs as La Rochelle beat Harlequins 16-7 to finish first in Pool 1. The French club will travel to Llanelli for their quarter-final against the Scarlets.

Ulster’s loss saw defending champions Saracens, who finished second in Pool 2, reach the playoffs.

Champions Cup results (Round 6):

Scarlets 30 Toulon 27
Treviso 28 Bath 47
Clermont 24 Ospreys 7
Saracens 62 Northampton 14
Leinster 23 Montpellier 14
Glasgow Warriors 28 Exeter Chiefs
Leicester Tigers 20 Racing 92 23
Wasps 26 Ulster 7
Munster 48 Castres 3
La Rochelle 16 Harlequins 7

Pool standings

Quarter-final fixtures:

Leinster vs Saracens
Scarlets vs La Rochelle
Munster vs Toulon
Clermont vs Racing 92

Photo: @Munsterrugby/Twitter

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Mariette Adams