Kolisi helps Racing into Champions Cup last 16 with Cardiff win / Photo: JULIEN DE ROSA - AFP
Kolisi helps Racing into Champions Cup last 16 with Cardiff win
South Africa's double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi scored his first Racing 92 try as the French club secured a place in the last 16 of the Champions Cup with a 48-26 victory over Cardiff in Paris on Saturday.
The Parisians moved above Ulster to fourth in Pool 2, after the Irish province were hammered 47-19 by Harlequins earlier in the day, claiming a spot in the next round to be held in April.
Flanker Kolisi, 32, who joined Racing after lifting a second World Cup last October, crossed during the first-half on his eighth club appearance and was among seven try scorers for the French side, three-time Champions Cup runners-up.
A youthful Cardiff surprisingly led 7-3 after just 10 minutes as Wales prop Rhys Carre crashed over before Racing took control of the tie.
No 8 Kitione Kamikamica went over in the corner before scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec, included in France's Six Nations squad, set-up Kolisi five metres out for the try.
Back-rower Kolisi then turned the provider setting-up centre Inia Tabuavou before Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams cut the deficit and the hosts led 20-12 at the break.
Victory was clinched with half an hour to play as Kolisi's compatriot, full-back Tristan Tedder and wingers Christian Wade and Juan Imhoff scored to make it 41-12.
Despite having less than a quarter of Racing's budget this season, Cardiff refused to go out of the competition with a whimper as half-back Williams claimed his second try with 15 minutes to play.
Fly-half Tinus De Beer then broke free to clinch a deserved bonus point for the Welsh club with nine minutes remaining before replacement hooker Jannick Tarrit made sure of the rout for the home side with a late try.
Elsewhere, four-time winners Leinster claimed a home tie in the next round, beating Leicester 27-10 to maintain their unbeaten record in the pool stage.
Later Saturday, there is a repeat of the 2000 final as Munster host Northampton with the Irish province, champions in 2006 and 2008, eyeing a place in the next round.
Three-time former winners Saracens welcome already-qualified Lyon but Owen Farrell's side are at risk of missing out on the last 16.
Sunday's highlight is holders La Rochelle's trip to Sale. The French club need a win to guarantee their progress before record five-time winners Toulouse play Bath at a sold-out Stade Ernest-Wallon.
T.Wright--EWJ
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