In the best poster of the first day of the European Rugby Cup, a remake of the dantesque final of last year and the previous one, Stade Rochelais sank at home against Leinster (9-16), this Sunday . In pouring rain, the Maritimes were weighed down by their indiscipline and struggled to develop their game against a rough Irish defense.
Made very complicated by the conditions, the first period set the tone. If the Rochelais opened the scoring after three minutes, thanks to a penalty from Antoine Hastoy (3rd), they were then feverish, multiplying the mistakes. Until being sanctioned with a yellow card, for Jonathan Danty (12th), then receiving a try in stride, signed Jordan Larmour. Coldly realistic, imposing the physical fight and taking advantage of the seven faults from the Maritimes, the Irish then managed to take the lead at the break (6-10).
Returning from the locker room, the Rochelais tried to turn the tide, getting very close to the line. But they were only able to obtain a penalty, converted by Hastoy (9-10, 52nd). Achieving a short-lived close score, since a new mistake from Yoan Tanga, facing the posts, gave Ciaran Frawley easy ammunition (9-13, 60th).
The last forays of the French club, which remained voluntary until the end, were not enough: Leinster, who completed their victory with a 60 m penalty from the same Frawley, took their revenge seven months later.
If this setback at home is obviously damaging from an accounting point of view, it in no way jeopardizes the Rochelais’ title defense. In their group of six teams, which also contains Stade Français, beaten in Sale (28-5) earlier this Sunday, they only need to finish in one of the first four places to see the eighth. The next day, the Maritimes will travel to the Stormers in Cape Town, South Africa.
