Clermont into the Challenge Cup semis

Clermont booked their place in the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals on Thursday with a 23-13 victory over La Rochelle at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

A try from skipper Aurelien Rougerie and eight points from the boot of fly-half Brock James saw Clermont take a 13-6 lead into the half-time break.

South African full-back Greg Goosen drew the hosts level going into the final quarter with a try and a conversion to add to his two first-half penalties.

But a try from powerful Fijian wing Kini Murimurivalu sealed the win for Clermont with nine minutes left on the clock.

The scorers:

For La Rochelle:
Try: Goosen
Con: Goosen
Pens: Goosen 2

For Clermont:
Tries: Rougerie, Murimurivalu
Cons: James 2
Pens: James 3

Stade Rochelais Atlantique: 15 Greg Goosen, 14 Norman Ligairi, 13 Sefulu Gaugau, 12 Jerome Jacquet, 11 Florian Ninard, 10 Romain Lacoste, 9 Damien Neveu, 8 Quentin D'Aram de Valada. 7 Pierre Som, 6 Nicolas Djebaili, 5 Franck Jacob, 4 Robert Mohr [capt], 3 Stephane Clement, 2 Franco Pani, 1 Alexandre Bares
Replacements: 16 B Geledan, 17 P Toderasc, 18 J Garcia, 19 R Sazy, 20 T Soucaze, 21 B Dambielle, 22 M Dall'igna, 23 B Ferrou

ASM Clermont Auvergne: 15 Benoît Baby, 14 Aurélien Rougerie (c), 13 Tusiata Pisi, 12 Gonzalo Canale, 11 Kini Murimurivalu, 10 Brock James, 9 Kevin Senio, 8 Elvis Vermeulen, 7 Alexandre Audebert, 6 Julien Bardy, 5 Julien Pierre, 4 Loic Jacquet, 3 Martin Scelzo 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Lionel Faure.
Replacements:16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Clément Ric, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Raphael Chaume, 21 Ludovic Radoslavjevic , 22 Lavea , 23 Anthony Floch

Venue: Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)