La Rochelle, who secured their second successive triumph in EPCR’s premier club competition with a thrilling 27-26 win over Leinster Rugby in May, started strongly with tries from Dillyn Leyds, Pierre Bourgarit and Paul Boudehent in the first half.

Leading 21-3 at the break, La Rochelle slowed somewhat in the second period with a lone penalty from Antoine Hastoy – who kicked nine points from the tee - adding to the scoreboard. A penalty try for Bordeaux, and six points from Matthieu Jalibert, were the sum of Bordeaux’s efforts.

Meanwhile, on Friday, five-time Heineken Champions Cup winners Stade Toulousain secured their place in the TOP 14 final with a 41-14 rout of Racing 92 - again at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian.

Toulouse, who exited this season’s HCC competition at the semi-final stage in a 22-41 defeat to Leinster – took command early in the contest thanks to tries from Matthis Lebel and Emmanuel Meafou.

The second half brought more success for Stade Toulousain as Alexandre Roumat, Arthur Retière and François Cros crossed the whitewash in a five-try mauling. Thomas Ramos enjoyed his day from the tee with 16 points – five conversions and two penalties.

The two-finalists will meet next Saturday at the Stade de France to crown the TOP 14 champion for 2022-23.

Heineken Champions Cup winners Stade Rochelais are on course to complete an EPCR and domestic double as they advanced to the final of the TOP 14 play-offs with a 24-13 win over Union Bordeaux- Bègles at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, Spain.