Leinster-La Rochelle (40-13): powerless and swept away, the Rochelais abandon their European crown

No hat-trick for Stade Rochelais. Winners of the last two editions of the Champions Cup, each time beating Leinster in the final, the Maritimes lost heavily this Saturday in the quarter-final against the Irish (40-13), in Dublin, and let their European title slip away. . Already beaten last December during the group stage, Grégory Alldritt and his teammates were no match for this quarter-final and suffered intense pressure from Leinster.

The Irish had extra soul. Beaten in the semi-final of the 2021 edition of the Champions Cup, then in the final in 2022 and 2023, the Irish wanted to set the record straight and, for once, to see the Rochelais with a crestfallen look in end of match. From the first moments, their defensive pressure and their speed made the Maritimes suffer, who conceded a first try in the 16th minute by James Lowe. Despite two penalties from Antoine Hastoy, Leinster increased the score via Jamison Gibson-Park.

And K.-O. of Kerr-Barlow

This scenario bore a striking resemblance to the May 2023 final. Overwhelmed at the start of the match, Ronan O’Gara’s men suffered greatly, before regaining hope at the end of the first period thanks to a try from Ulupano Seuteni. This Saturday, it was Louis Penverne who turned into a savior after the siren, and who brought the Rochelais to ten points (23-13).

But the Irish learned the lessons of this final lost by one point. Still as oppressive, James Lowe’s teammates continued to push to score another try. It only took three minutes to arrive. Perfectly shifted along the line after a superb sequence, Ryan Baird overthrew the last defender, Antoine Hastoy, and sped into the goal. Cruel on an accounting level, this phase also caused the injury of Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who remained stunned for many minutes on the pitch before being taken out on a stretcher.

Mass was said, but the nightmare was still far from over. Multiplying the errors, like a return which landed directly in touch, the Rochelais completely took on water. Dan Sheehan and James Lowe took the opportunity to add two new tries and give this match the appearance of a spanking. Stade Rochelais is therefore leaving the Champions Cup and will have to concentrate on the Top 14 from next weekend, in Castres.