PARIS: Ospreys scored a transformed strive within the twelfth minute of added time to defeat Leicester 27-26 and e book a spot within the final 16 of the Champions Cup on Friday.
Decreased to 14 males after a yellow card for alternative prop Dan Richardson, two-time European champions Leicester had been unable to carry again the Welsh aspect’s surge with backrower Jac Morgan scoring from shut vary.
Owen Williams then held his nerve to kick the profitable conversion.
“When the draw was made, most individuals would have thought that the later rounds in April and Might wouldn’t concern us,” stated Ospreys coach Toby Sales space whose aspect ended the pool stage with three wins from 4 video games.
Two of these victories got here in opposition to French champions Montpellier.
Leicester had already secured qualification for the knockout rounds earlier than seeing their 100% profitable document finish.
“We’re desperately disillusioned because the defeat was by our personal making as we opened the door for them and they’re a great aspect in nice type,” stated Leicester coach Richard Wigglesworth.
“However we’re by to the knockout phases and we might have taken that final result earlier than the competitors began.”
Jack van Poortvliet and Harry Simmons scored Leicester’s tries, with Springboks star Handre Pollard changing each and including 4 penalties.
Dewi Lake, Keelan Giles and Morgan crossed for the Ospreys. Williams kicked two penalties and two conversions with Cai Evans including a conversion.
After three defeats to begin the competitors, French aspect Lyon stored alive their slim hopes of creating it to the final 16 by defeating South Africa’s Bulls 31-7.
Hooker Guillaume Marchand, with two tries, and scrum-half Jean-Marc Doussain scored within the first half for Lyon and a 24-0 interval lead.
Kurt-Lee Arendse diminished the arrears for the Bulls with their solely strive earlier than fly-half Leo Berdeu grabbed Lyon’s fourth rating simply earlier than the hour mark to safe a bonus level.
Bulls have but to ensure of their place within the final 16 whereas Lyon seem destined to drop into the knockout rounds of the Problem Cup which they gained final season.
“Few folks noticed us qualifying with a victory in opposition to the Bulls,” stated Berdeu.
“It doesn’t matter if we return to the Problem Cup. If we go right down to that stage, we will probably be eager to defend the title we gained final yr.”