La Rochelle out for redemption in French knockouts

After claiming their second away win for the season, La Rochelle booked their spot in the French Top 14 semifinal - defeating Toulon by 34-29.

They will face the current Champions Cup winners Toulouse in what will be a grudge match.

Toulouse defeated La Rochelle in the 2023 Top 14 Final by 29 points to 26 and they will be hurting about that result.

"We put in a very good performance but we're still a long way from perfection," said La Rochelle captain Gregory Alldritt.

"It's encouraging because it makes us want to get back to work and raise our game."

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Toulon who played in the knockout stages for the first time since 2018 scored all their first-half points (15) through the boot of Melvyn Jaminet.

They were, however, trailing 24-15 at that stage with flyhalf Antoine Hastoy, wing Dillyn Leyds and centre Jules Favre all getting on the try-scoring sheet to give La Rochelle a nine-point lead.

Discipline and errors proved costly for Toulon in the second half which led to a fourth try for La Rochelle when flank Oscar Jegou went over for the score which Hastoy converted for a 31-15 lead.

The final 10 minutes of the clash saw La Rochelle forwards Will Skelton and Judicael Cancoriet being yellow-carded.

Toulon managed to stage a late comeback in the process with a penalty try and a try by hooker Jack Singleton in the final stage of the game.

"We're going to come back even better," said Toulon director of rugby Pierre Mignoni.

"La Rochelle has a lot of experience. They've won more titles recently than we have. It hasn't been a disastrous season, but it's hard to lose at home like that."

Bordeaux-Begles will take on Racing 92 on Sunday in the second play-off with the winners to book a date with Stade Francais for a place in the final.