CHAMPIONS CUP 2024-2025 – La Rochelle will have hoped, but Leinster will have been more realistic. Authors of too many mistakes, the Rochelais bowed in an unbreathable end to the match and left first place in group B to the Irish province (14-16).
A remake of the 2022 and 2023 final, this summit clash was expected to raise several questions on the side of La Rochelle. Opposite, Leinster and its army of internationals, undefeated since the start of the season.
A first half in the confrontation
The intensity was evident from the start of the match. After an initial defensive pressure on Brice Dulin in the first sixty seconds, La Rochelle is finally the first to start the game. And to obtain a penalty after an Irish foul (3-0, 4th). The first ten minutes of the match were to the advantage of La Rochelle, who launched several offensive sequences, notably thanks to a Jack Nowell very restless. But Leinster then equalizes on a fault of Paul Boudehent (3-3, 11e).
The Rochelais harvested several opportunities close to the Irish line, offering little variation in the game. Antoine Hastoy regains the advantage with the foot (6-3, 26th), but La Rochelle fails to break the Leinster defense line. And the sanction is quick. Joe McCarthyon one of the first Irish forays, scored the first try of the match after a nice Irish movement (6-10, 31st).
At half-time, La Rochelle was behind in the score (6-10) and lost its two pillars, affected (knee for Anthonyribs for Roses). But for now, the double European champion team (2022, 2023) is holding up in these lively first forty minutes.
A return from the locker room in favor of Leinster, despite a revival in La Rochelle
The Leinster takes a 7-point lead in the 50th minute of play, via a new penalty. The La Rochelle pack cannot resist the Irish pressure and suffers penalty after penalty. At the 55th, the Leinster takes a 10 point lead. A gap reduced to seven by Hastoy, 4 minutes later, he who had missed a penalty three minutes earlier by hitting the post.
In the last quarter of an hour, La Rochelle wakes up and gets back on track. After a long sequence of advances, Dillyn Leyds scored a magnificent try thanks to a little kick for himself (14-16, 66th).
Ross Byrne misses an easy penalty in the 68th for the Irish, just like Jordie Barrett a few minutes later. Two minutes from the end of the match, La Rochelle is only 2 points behind Leinster. Antoine Hastoy missed a 50 meter penalty by hitting the posts again, but his teammates had followed perfectly, and then recovered the scrum. La Rochelle keeps the ball, Antoine Hastoy tries a drop, blocked, but La Rochelle keeps the ball. They try everything, but yet another hand fault ends the match. Leinster remains undefeated this season, while La Rochelle cedes first place in Group B to the Irish province.
The match will have caused damage on the La Rochelle side. Anthony, Roses, Cancoriet notably left the field affected.
Fabien Galthié’s expected list
Fabien Galthié will announce its list of 42 players for the 2025 6 Nations Tournament on Wednesday. Several La Rochelle players have undoubtedly scored points with this in mind. They will meet several opponents of the day, the backbone of the Irish XV, during the 3rd day.
