Wonder try secures Champions Cup Finals berth

Sun, Sep 27, 2020, 4:07 AM
AAP
by AAP
Racing reach Champions Cup Final over Saracens. Photo: Getty Images
Racing reach Champions Cup Final over Saracens. Photo: Getty Images

France's Racing 92 came from behind to beat defending champions Saracens 19-15 in Saturday's European Champions Cup semi-final at Paris La Defense Arena.

The victory sent Racing, who have never won the title, into their third final at the expense of the three-times champions, and they'll face Exeter Chiefs who beat Toulouse.

After heading into the break trailing 9-6, Saracens turned up the heat, with Alex Goode scoring three penalties after the restart to give the Premiership club a six-point lead.

Substitute Maxime Machenaud pulled Racing back to within three points with a penalty in the 68th minute before a moment of brilliance from Finn Russell sparked the game's decisive moment.

Russell found Virimi Vakatawa with a delicate chip over the Saracens midfield and the New Zealand-born centre powered into space before offloading the ball back to Scottish five-eighth, who released Juan Imhoff to cross with three minutes left.

Machenaud made no mistake with the conversion, shredding Saracens' dreams of European glory. 

Exeter charged into their maiden Champions Cup final with a thrilling 28-18 victory over Toulouse to ensure there will be a first-time winner at this year's elite European club rugby competition.

The English Premiership side, who won promotion to the top-flight 10 years ago, will face twice runners-up Racing 92 in the final on October 17.

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