the Maritimes miss the victory in an unbreathable end to the match… The summary of the short defeat of Stade Rochelais against Leinster

Stade Rochelais will have gone through all the emotions, but will not have succeeded in bringing down Leinster for the first time this season. The Maritimes conceded their first European defeat against the Irish (16-14), Sunday January 12, during the 3rd day of the Champions Cup, in a once again packed Marcel-Deflandre stadium, and after a crazy scenario.

In this clash that has become a great European classic, Ronan O’Gara’s men pushed until the end. La Rochelle striker Antoine Hastoy had a first opportunity to bring his team back to the level: on a failed conversion (67th), then two opportunities at the end of the foot to go for victory, on a penalty more than 50 meters away that was slightly too short and which ends on the post (80th), then on a countered drop against the poles (81st).

Dominant for 30 minutes then dominated, the Maritimes returned to the match thanks to a first try scored in the 66th minute on a magnificent technical gesture from Dillyn Leyds. They then multiplied the offensives in an unbreathable end to the match, helped by two last missed opposing penalties (69th, 75th) which had kept them in the game.

But they were unable to crack the iron defense of the Leinstermen, like a meeting during which they made too many errors and lacked realism. They cede first place in group 2 to their opponents of the day.