Shaun Goosen takes a look at what transpired in the European rugby this past weekend.
Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Exeter, Wasps through to Premiership finale
After kicking-off on 18 October last year, the semi-finals of this season’s Premiership finally got underway with Wasps hosting Bristol and Bath visiting the Chiefs. Wasps never really looked back after a clever Dan Robson stabbing kick set up Malakai Fekitoa for their opener just a few minutes in as they went on to claim a 47-24 win. A 22-point haul from Kiwi stalwart Jimmy Gopperth to go with their five tries secured their place in the final with the Bears unable to deal with the hosts’ inventive and wily plays.
The relentless Chiefs put Bath to the sword in a comfortable 35-6 victory that kept alive their hopes of winning a rare domestic and European double. The visitors have played some good footy under Stuart Hooper this season and are clearly on the up after such a long period of mediocrity. However, they were no match for an Exeter side that will be every bookie’s favourite to go on and take the title.
Top 14 away wins for Toulouse, Stade Francais and La Rochelle
They may have to wait a while for another crack at a record fifth European crown, but Le Stade continue to lead the way on the domestic front after their narrow 30-24 win over Racing 92 with Cheslin Kolbe, arguably the best player on the planet at the moment, scoring his sixth try in as many games. It must be said though that the hosts rested their big names in anticipation of this weekend’s Champions Cup final against Exeter.
There were also away wins for Stade Francais and La Rochelle with the former trumping Agen 20-3 and the latter beating a good Bayonne side 36-19. In other results, Toulon beat Montpellier 25-21 at the Stade Mayol while Lyon held Pau to a 29-all draw.
Edinburgh’s van der Merwe finally rewarded with Scotland call-up
Last season’s runners-up Ulster beat Ospreys 24-12 the Liberty Stadium, with No 15 Jacob Stockdale, cult hero Marcell Coetzee and scrumhalf John Cooney all dotting down in Swansea. Elsewhere the Dragons beat Zebre 26-18 at Rodney Parade, hosts Cardiff beat Connacht 29-7 while Munster pipped Edinburgh 25-23 at Thomond Park.
South African-born Edinburgh winger Duhan van der Merwe continues to hog the headlines up north. Brother of Sale Sharks hooker Akker, Duhan has deservedly been included in Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad for the first time after topping the Pro14 charts for tries (24), meters gained (2927), average gain per carry (9.5), clean breaks (78) and defenders beaten (222) since debuting in the competition in 2017.
