Crowley gives O'Gara a taste of his own medicine as Munster march on
Backed by a voiceferous travelling support that provided pockets of red spread across Stade Marcel-Deflandre, Jack Crowley's late drop goal - a trademark move of legendary fly-half Ronan O'Gara's - came back to haunt the Munster legend as his former side advanced into the last eight at the expense of his La Rochelle.
Backed by a voiceferous travelling support that provided pockets of red spread across Stade Marcel-Deflandre, Jack Crowley's late drop goal - a trademark move of legendary fly-half Ronan O'Gara's - came back to haunt the Munster legend as his former side advanced into the last eight at the expense of his La Rochelle.
O'Gara continues to be under pressure after the 2022 and 2023 champions crashed out at home in this dramatic round of 16 tie.
Player of the match Crowley dropped into the pocket to land another defining drop goal following his heroics for Ireland in South Africa last year.
That was after Teddy Thomas butchered seven points by acting way too casual when he was set to score and was, therefore turned over. Penny for O'Gara's thoughts on his wing...
La Rochelle first start
Without a win from their last eight outings, La Rochelle didn't start like a team low on confidence as just a minute into the game, Tawera Kerr-Barlow had a try ruled out before Levani Botia crashed over for a legal try after Andrew Smith had been sent to the sin bin for a cynical breakdown infringement.
Munster held firm until Smith's return and then had a man advantage of their own after Ihaia West was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Sean O'Brien.
Like La Rochelle, they made the extra player count almost immediately as Thaakir Abrahams led a brilliant break and put Craig Casey away between the posts.
Munster could not force another score during West's absence and the New Zealander ensured his side carried a lead into the break with a penalty from the last play of the half.
Crowley levelled the scores before converting Gavin Coombes' try that put the visitors ahead at the start of the second stanza.
Dillyn Leyds was sent to the sin bin and Munster were in dreamland when Smith touched down.
Nailbiting finish
However, their French hosts wouldn't go away and a penalty try and yellow card for Alex Kendellen meant we were in for a grandstand finish.
La Rochelle needed two scores in 15 minutes and got their converted try through Hoani Bosmorin but the visitors escaped with a dramatic triumph over the European giants.