DAVID HUMPHREYS praised his Gloucester players as they made it through to the European Challenge Cup final with a 16-14 victory over La Rochelle.

Gloucester will face either Stade Francais or Aviva Premiership rivals Bath in the final at Murrayfield on May 12.

Former Ireland fly-half Humphreys said: "This victory is just reward for all the hard work that has gone into this season.

"The effort the players put in out there was unbelievable. We showed character and spirit against an unbelievably good team. I'm delighted for everyone at the club.

"So much of what we planned to do came off, particularly in the first 30 minutes, and we hung in there as the game went on. To defend the way we did against an unbelievably physical team was really pleasing and I'm thrilled to get back to another European final."

The nature of Gloucester's ecstatic celebrations at full-time told the story of just how hard it was to get the win.

Humphreys added: "Talking to some of the players coming off the field it was one of the toughest games they've ever been involved in.

"I've said this season that it's about small margins and the players showed an unbelievable desire to win."