O'Gara's La Rochelle set up final showdown with Leinster

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle set up another Heineken Champions Cup final showdown with Leinster as they powered past Exeter Chiefs 47-28 at Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux on Sunday.

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Twelve months ago the Top 14 outfit edged past Leo Cullen's men in Marseille to conquer Europe.

Now, they will square up again in a mouthwatering Aviva Stadium decider on Saturday 20 May. It's also a third final in a row for La Rochelle, who were beaten by compatriots Toulouse in 2021.

Wing Raymond Rhule and scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow scored two tries each as the reigning champions sank their English opponents.

Centre UJ Seuteni, number eight Gregory Alldritt and hooker Pierre Bourgarit also dotted down as the home side scored seven tries against an out-muscled Exeter team who brought some respectability to their afternoon with two late scores.

Number eight Sam Simmonds, prop Josh Iosefa-Scott, wing Olly Woodburn and substitute hooker Jack Yeandle crossed for the visitors, but in truth they were never in the contest beyond the midway point of the first half.

The 47 points scored by La Rochelle is the most in a Champions Cup semi-final and they took full advantage of numerous handling errors from Exeter that gifted them possession and momentum.

The visitors drew first blood with an early try for Simmonds as he barged his way over the line from close-range.

But after that La Rochelle took command and with their attacking threat constant and from all angles, moved into a 26-7 halftime lead.

South African Rhule raced onto a perfect grubber kick to score unopposed, before incessant pressure saw Seuteni ghost through a defensive gap to dot down.

Exeter's chances were not helped by a yellow card for hooker Dan Frost and Alldritt picked up