Investec Champions Cup
La Rochelle (17) 39
Tries: Alldritt, Favre, Jegou (2), Seuteni, Bollengier Cons: West (2), Jurd Pens: West
Leicester (13) 20
Tries: Moro, Wand Cons: Searle, Titcombe Pens: Searle (2)
Two-time Champions Cup champions La Rochelle battled hard to clinch victory against a heavily rotated Leicester Tigers side at Stade Marcel Deflandre.
The home team started strongly, with France’s number eight Gregory Alldritt and winger Jules Favre putting La Rochelle ahead 10-0. However, Tigers’ young full-back George Pearson returned from the sin-bin to deliver a stunning run, assisting Joaquin Moro for a try.
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Oscar Jegou scored twice, once before and once after halftime, as La Rochelle’s formidable forward pack began to dominate in the second half.
Leicester conceded two rapid tries in the closing minutes — first, UJ Seuteni touched down from a box-kick, followed by Nathan Bollengier’s swift run. Will Wand added a late consolation try for the Tigers, reflecting their effort throughout the match.
Leicester Tigers fielded a notably understrength side at the Stade Marcel Deflandre [Shutterstock]
Alldritt nearly scored earlier before sealing the opening try by picking up a loose ball from a line-out and powering past three defenders.
Leicester faced a disadvantage when young full-back Pearson received a yellow card for impeding winger Davit Niniashvili while attempting to gather a high ball. La Rochelle quickly capitalized on their numerical advantage.
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Fly-half Ihaia West executed a perfectly placed kick to an unmarked Favre, who easily crossed for a try, pushing the score to 10-0 after 17 minutes.
Billy Searle’s penalty put Leicester on the scoreboard, and after Pearson’s return, he demonstrated his remarkable talent by weaving through tackles to assist Moro’s try that leveled the match just before the 30-minute mark.
La Rochelle regained the lead by displaying their strength, grinding through phases until Jegou could score unchallenged. Another penalty from Searle kept the gap to four points at halftime.
Jegou found the try line again just after the break, aided by skilled support from Levani Botia, while Leicester’s Will Hurd was sent to the sin-bin for collapsing a maul earlier in the play.
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La Rochelle’s dominant pack continued to pose problems for the visitors, leading to West extending their lead to 14 points before the hour mark.
Leicester held their ground until the last ten minutes, where La Rochelle quickly added two tries to secure their win, but Wand’s last-minute try ensured the Tigers finished with some points.
What’s next?
Leicester faces another tough matchup next Friday (20:00 GMT) as they host Irish side Leinster, fresh off a 45-28 victory against Harlequins. La Rochelle heads to South Africa next Saturday (13:00) to take on the Stormers.
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Line-ups
La Rochelle: Leyds; Niniashvili, Seguret, Seuteni, Favre; West, Berjon; Kaddouri, Latu, Sclavi, Lavault, Kante Samba, Jegou, Botia, Alldritt.
Replacements: Lespiaucq, Wardi, Atonio, Dillane, Andjisseramatchi, Couillaud, Jurd, Bollengier.
Leicester Tigers: Pearson; Radwan, Wand, Woodward, Hassell-Collins; Searle, Whiteley; Haffar, Clare, Hurd, Henderson, Wells, Thompson, J Manz, Moro.
Replacements: Theobald-Thomas, Van der Flier, Loman, T Manz, Williams, Allan, Titcombe, Kata.
Yellow cards: Pearson (16), Hurd (44)
Match officials
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Eoghan Cross (Ireland), Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)