Find the tops and flops after the clear victory of Stade Rochelais against Bristol (35-7) Saturday evening at Marcel-Deflandre, during the second day of the Champions Cup.
TOPS
Gregory Alldritt and Will Skelton were hungry
The two bosses of Stade Rochelais were upset. Against the Bears (35-7 victory), the Australian second line was, once again, the first maritime attacker. Assaulting the opposing defensive curtain, Skelton is still difficult to stop. A true force of nature. The Rochelais finished the meeting with six defenders beaten on the counter and covered 27 meters with the ball in hand. Lethal. For his part, the captain of the Yellow and Black, already very good last Friday during his team's victory in Bath (20-24), once again showed that he was gradually regaining his best level. The French international displays 87 meters gleaned in possession (18 races) and five Bristol players beaten. Colossal. The two maritime rocks were also helped by their hooker Silatolu Latu, man of the match.
Also read
Champions Cup: La Rochelle fills up against Bristol
Jack Nowell as a tightrope walker
The three-quarter wing is the author of the first La Rochelle try of the evening. On a very daring kick from Ihaia West, the Englishman threw himself into the Bristol goal to flatten in a (very) spectacular way. The former Exeter player could also have scored twice in this match, if he had not been propelled into touch a few centimeters before crossing the Bears line. 13 races with the ball for Nowell in this match, symptomatic of his (important) activity.
Perfect Ihaia West
A new high-class match from the maritime opener. Like last week in Bath, the New Zealander had a flawless performance in this match (10 points, 100% kick success) and was at the initiative of many dangerous movements by his team, with his kicks. always sneaky but adjusted.
Also read
Champions Cup: Ulster, Munster and Connacht, behind Leinster, the worrying face of Irish rugby
Jack Bates' slalom
surely the best try of the evening. What action from the three-quarter wing of Bristol who, just before the break (39th), gave some hope to his team by performing a masterful slalom in the maritime defense, leaving four opponents on the spot. The only English achievement of the match. A high-class sequence.
FLOPS
Viliame Mata with his head in the bag
The Bristol third row had a very complicated evening at Marcel-Deflandre. Renowned for his skill and his aggressiveness, the Fijian did not exist against the Rochelais. Out of four tackles attempted, only two were successful by the Bears player, much less incisive than usual.
Also read
Champions Cup: the video summary of La Rochelle's solid victory against Bristol
Bristol, attack is not everything
Second defeat in the Champions Cup for the English team this season. After their (severe) defeat last weekend at home against Leinster (12-35), the Bears still can't do it. The latter are, paradoxically, the most prolific team in Europe since the start of the season with an average of 36 points scored per match. But Pat Lam's men also take a lot (too much)…
