La Rochelle-Leicester: the champion still alive, the relapse for Bourgarit... The tops and the flops

Tops

The two losses conceded at the start of the competition against Leinster, at home, then against the South African Stormers had caused some concern. But Stade Rochelais woke up this Sunday and honored its status as double defending champion in the Champions Cup, by blowing up the English Leicester like popcorn (45-12). An improved, clear and flawless success with seven tries, which puts Ronan O'Gara's players back on track for qualification. A success to be confirmed, next Sunday, on the pitch of the Sale Sharks. Another important meeting with Subjects of Her Majesty...

Faithful to what made them famous, the Maritimes defeated the English Tigers thanks to the power of their pack, thus allowing the La Rochelle arrows to express themselves. Formidable, the La Rochelle forwards put the English to torture by scoring three strong tries by Bourgarit (5th), Skelton (31st) and Sclavi (59th). We can even add that of Seuteni (40th 2), who benefited from enormous work to undermine his pack before flattening. The La Rochelle steamroller has (again) caused enormous damage.

Teddy Thomas is a divisive player. He is regularly criticized for his defensive mistakes, often blatant. But, ball in hand, the former Biarritz and Racing 92 player is a phenomenon, a real danger for opposing defenses. The Leicester Tigers were able to realize this this Sunday. After scoring a first try, without forcing too much after being well served by Kerr-Barlow, the winger offered himself a sumptuous slalom in the English defense to score his team's sixth try. With class and efficiency.

Flops

It's a big blow for Stade Rochelais... Pierre Bouregarit made his return to competition this Sunday after suffering a shoulder injury and the international hooker stood out from the start. sharp points, effective relays and a try, behind a beautiful penetrating group, to top it off. But the end of the afternoon turned into a nightmare for the Gers number 2, who was hit in the shoulder again in the 48th minute. Immediately, the number 3 in the hierarchy of hookers in the French team left the Deflandre pitch, grimacing. This could be serious...

If the success of the Rochelais this Sunday does not suffer from any dispute, the discipline of O'Gara's troop is nevertheless problematic. La Rochelle received three yellow cards during this game. Ultan Dillane (13th), Will Skelton (51st) then Jonathan Danty (52nd) were indeed sanctioned and temporarily excluded. For the Blues center, it was a double punishment, since after a head-to-head collision, he had to leave the Deflandre pitch with a concussion. La Rochelle even had to play for ten minutes at 13 against 15. Too many mistakes on the La Rochelle side, often on dangerous tackles, we will have to sort all that out for the rest of the competition.