• Lions lock Hyron Andrews, 31, found dead on Friday

• Connacht 45-36 Saracens; Sale 27-47 Glasgow

The Johannesburg-based Lions put up a gritty fight on an emotional Champions Cup debut but came up short 31-14 at La Rochelle as both sides paid tribute to the South African lock Hyron Andrews, who died suddenly at the team’s hotel in western France.

The whole stadium observed a minute’s silence while Andrews’s No 5 shirt was laid on the pitch before kick-off. La Rochelle’s three South African players presented a jersey to their visitors in memory of the player, who died on Friday at Lions’ hotel on the nearby Ile de Ré. A source close to the investigation said that Andrews, who was 31, was found in cardiac arrest in a shower cubicle that was locked from the inside.

• Bears score nine tries to clinch place in the last 16

• Clermont Auvergne 21-33 Glasgow | Sale 26-10 Sharks

Bristol ran riot in a remarkable first half to secure their place in the Champions Cup knockout phase with a 61-49 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria. The South African hosts fielded 10 Springboks in their starting XV in the hope of registering a first win of the group campaign yet were still swept aside at Loftus Versfeld.

Bristol ran in three tries inside the opening 10 minutes and seven in total to build a 47-28 lead at the interval. Noah Heward crossed twice and there were also touch downs for Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Max Lahiff, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Kieran Marmion.

• Pool 4: Northampton 50-5 Bulls

• Saints score eight tries in Pool 4 win

On the face of it Northampton are flying in the Champions Cup courtesy of two consecutive bonus points wins. The more pedantic-minded might also point out that both their opponents have fielded below-strength sides, but when the qualifying sums are completed next month that will not be the top line as far as the Saints’ management are concerned.

Because regardless of the depth of the resistance they are facing, Northampton are again underlining their ability to pick apart sides who give them too much space and time. On this occasion they rattled up eight tries, including a hat-trick for George Hendy, two for the fit-again Ollie Sleightholme and one for the roaming Henry Pollock, who showed a further glimpse or two of his rare talent.