La Rochelle won an improved victory against Stade Français this Saturday in the Top 14 with a score of 35-18. The Maritimes will spend the international break on the podium.
This Saturday in a staggered match on the 9th day of Top 14, La Rochelle had an excellent evening from all points of view. Facing Stade Français (35-18), the Maritimes scored a 16th success in a row at Marcel-Deflandre which once again became an impregnable fortress. In large widths moreover. By scoring four tries, without conceding any, Ronan O'Gara's men pocketed a particularly welcome improved success before going on vacation with the feeling of duty accomplished. With 27 points, ASR occupies third place in the championship, two points behind UBB and Toulouse, which will however play this Sunday at the end of the 9th round.
Despite falling behind at halftime (11-15), La Rochelle raised its head. Tolu Latu scored strongly (45th) but less spectacularly than Will Skelton, after a nice run with the ball in hand on the right flank (72nd). The Wallaby definitively locked up the bonus at the end of the match after a returnee awarded it to his team: Oscar Jegou (62nd). The 3rd international line, back for the first time since the sad legal affair this summer in Argentina, celebrated his banderilla with a heart formed by both hands above his head for the attention of the La Rochelle public. A total celebration which had previously started with the try of the inevitable Teddy Thomas (32nd).
Stade Français stuck in the red zone
Still as elusive, especially since Ronan O'Gara positioned him in the center, the former Racingman won his duel to launch the beautiful evening in La Rochelle. Opposite, only the boot of Louis Carbonel, credited with all the Parisian points, kept the Stade Français alive until around the hour mark. This zero-point setback therefore stunned the Soldats Roses (14 points) in 13th position in the ranking, three lengths ahead of the red lantern, Vannes, and one unit behind Pau and Montpellier, respectively 12th and 11th. In three weeks after the international break, the capital club will play a hot derby against Racing 92, the Yellow and Black will visit Castres.
