On the occasion of the reception of the leader Toulouse on Saturday January 4 (9:05 p.m.) for the 14th day of the Top 14, the La Rochelle club will celebrate its 100th consecutive sold-out match in the championship at Marcel-Deflandre.
Not counting the health gauge period due to Covid-19, this Stade Rochelais series began on January 2, 2016 during the reception of Castres Olympique, where the Rochelais won 25-21.
“It shows how loyal our supporters are. They are always there come rain, shine or snow. If we called them to come at midnight, they would be there (laughing),” said La Rochelle pillar Uini Atonio, at the club since 2011 when La Rochelle was playing in Pro D2.
La Rochelle
Toulouse
All stats and data
Double European champion (2022, 2023), La Rochelle moved up to the Top 14 in 2014 after eight years spent in the second division.
“This hundredth sold-out is a good reward for the club and the city. Playing in a full stadium is important. I have seen matches full to 5,000 seats (laughing). It proves the loyalty and love that the city has for this sport,” assures Romain Carmignani, forwards coach and former Maritimes player.
To celebrate this 100th, a pre-match show is planned with “pyrotechnics, light show and dance show” on the program before the players enter.
At the end of the first leg, the Top 14 had recorded an average attendance of 15,567 spectators per stadium, up 9% compared to last season “which was already a historic year”, according to the National Rugby League. . This season's record was reached on the 13th day, with an average of 19,403 spectators.
