La Rochelle hold off Bath fightback to claim Champions Cup win
La Rochelle's UJ Seuteni celebrates as Tawera Kerr-Barlow scores their side’s third try in the Champions Cup against Bath. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Twice-winners La Rochelle triumphed 24-20 at the Recreation Ground, after the Gallagher Premiership leaders launched a powerful second-half fightback, scoring two converted tries from 15 points adrift.
La Rochelle roared clear through tries from flanker Oscar Jegou, prop Reda Wardi and scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow, while fly-half Ihaia West kicked three conversions and a penalty.
Bath were in deep trouble at half-time, managing only two Finn Russell penalties, yet they stirred after the break as hooker Tom Dunn and former Connacht and Ireland lock Quinn Roux claimed touchdowns, with Russell adding the extras.
Despite swirling rain and a gusting wind, a compelling contest unfolded, although it ramps up pressure on Bath, despite claiming a losing bonus-point, to potentially win at least two of their last three pool games as they chase a last-16 place.
They tackle Benetton in Italy next, with Clermont Auvergne and Leinster looming as testing opponents in January.
Russell kicked Bath into a fifth-minute lead, but conditions — albeit at the very early stages of Storm Darragh — played their part.
La Rochelle’s heavyweight pack soon warmed to the task, and relentless pressure close to Bath’s line resulted in an 18th-minute try for Jegou that West converted. The visitors had a collective power up-front, and they showcased it in all its glory through a long-range lineout drive that Bath could not stop.
Wardi claimed the touchdown, with West adding the extras, and although Russell kicked a second penalty, La Rochelle were immediately back on the attack.
Another lineout gave them a strong foundation five metres out, but this time they did not have to keep it tight as Kerr-Barlow darted through a huge gap for try number three, with West’s conversion making it 21-6.
Bath reduced their deficit midway through the third quarter as Dunn touched down following a driven lineout, before Russell judged his touchline conversion brilliantly to leave his team eight points adrift.
Bath struck again five minutes later after Kerr-Barlow failed to ground a kick behind own line, with a charging Roux capitalising and Russell converting.
West eased La Rochelle nerves through a penalty on the hour-mark.
Tries: Dunn, Roux. Cons: Russell 2. Pens: Russell 2.
Tries: Jegou, Wardi, Kerr Barlow. Cons: West 3. Pens: West.
de Glanville, Cokanasiga, Redpath, Butt, Muir, Russell, Schreuder, du Toit, Dunn, Stuart, Roux, Ewels, Hill, Pepper, Reid. Subs: Ojomoh for Butt (73), Van Wyk for du Toit (65), Annett for Dunn (55), A. Griffin for Stuart (65), Molony for Roux (65), Bayliss for Hill (65), Coetzee for Reid (55).
Dulin, Nowell, Seuteni, Danty, Leyds, West, Kerr Barlow, Wardi, Latu, Atonio, Lavault, Skelton, Jegou, Haddad, Alldritt. Subs: Reus for West (73), Penverne for Wardi (71), Lespiaucq-Brettes for Latu (61), Colombe for Atonio (61), Botia for Haddad (65).
Andrew Brace (IRFU).
