Top 14: revenge, La Rochelle corrects a very dull Clermont

The supporters present at Marcel-Deflandre had a great evening. Stade Rochelais crushed Clermont (42-3) during this 17th day of Top 14. With this improved success, the Maritimes moved up the rankings. Led by the good play at the feet of Brice Dulin and Antoine Hastoy, the Rochelais played their game and scored 6 tries, all scored by different players. Even though they returned from the locker room with much better intentions, the ASM players never got back on track.

Stade Rochelais recalled why it was the reigning double European champion. After the first 10 minutes of observation and kicking, it was the Clermontois who scored the first points of this meeting on a penalty (0-3). But behind, the Jaunards could do nothing to stop the Maritimes. By relying again on the power of its forwards, the Rochelais found their way to the goal. First thanks to Cancoriet (7-3) well served by Tanga, then by Colombe (14-3, 18th) Antoine Hastoy's teammates quickly took the lead again.

Outnumbered following Sowakula's yellow card for a high tackle, the Clermontois suffered without finding answers. Even after the siren, the Maritimes continued to roll and Lespiaucq had already scored La Rochelle's 4th try (28-3). Upon returning from the locker room, Christophe Urios' players showed much better intentions. But on another perfectly measured kick from Antoine Hastoy, Brice Dulin slipped between the Clermont players to take the leather and head towards the goal before offering the 5th try of this match to Teddy Thomas (35- 3, 44e).

Then, the Jaunards' numerous errors cost them far too dearly to hope for anything. In touch, the Clermontois returned too many balls on throws that were not straight and exposed themselves behind to the wrath of the Rochelais. Even if they held up better than in the first half, the ASM players did not appear any more dangerous. At the very end of the match, Thomas Berjon also scored his try to increase the score even further (42-3).

With this 3rd consecutive setback, Clermont sinks a little further into this second part of the table and continues to be depressed. While for its part, Stade Rochelais ended a series of two defeats in a row and moved up the standings to follow Racing 92 and Section Paloise.