This Sunday, Antoine Hastoy will be lined up at Stade Rochelais for the Champions Cup clash against Leinster. A strong decision from Ronan O’Gara, who looks back on his management of the French opening half. The opportunity for Hastoy to prove that he remains a key piece in the maritime workforce. Although he has played 14 matches in all competitions this season, he has only made eight starts.
A shelving that raises questions
Not selected with the XV of France for the autumn tour, Antoine Hastoy had a difficult period at the club. Following the match against Castres on November 23, Ronan O’Gara left him out of the group for the following three matches. He thus disappeared from the scoresheet in the Top 14 as well as in the Champions Cup. A choice that did not fail to surprise.
In the stands, the former Palois was undoubtedly in doubt at that time in the face of management that some of his teammates describe as harsh. Was the Irishman too hard on the Habs?
O’Gara: “An approach that was not the right one”
Ronan O’Gara returned this week to this muscular management, which he himself describes as an error via Sud Ouest: “ I was angry with some people, I tried to show them “tough love”, but it didn’t work. The players are not guilty, I am. » Recognizing his wrong, Irish coach says his approach to Hastoy isn’t right : « Leaving him isolated for a few weeks was not a good idea. »
-Hastoy ready to bounce back
However, the La Rochelle number 10 seems to have benefited from this period of introspection. Back on the field at the end of December then in sight against Toulouse at the beginning of January, Hastoy was able to remind us that there remained a key element. « There is a good change towards Antoine, he is a very important player at the club ”, emphasizes O’Gara.
This return to the starting XV for a match of this importance, against a formidable Leinster team, constitutes a golden opportunity for him to demonstrate his value.
See you on Sunday to find out if O’Gara’s choice will bear fruit. One thing is certain: the hour of ‘redemption’ has come for Antoine Hastoy. Be careful, however, not to be under too much pressure in a heated stadium that expects its protégés to find their grinta again. A double-edged meeting could boost the confidence of the Maritimes if successful. Or else increase the weight of lead which seems to have gradually settled on the shoulders of the Rochelais.
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