La Rochelle lay down marker with Champions Cup hammering of Northampton

Even without head coach Ronan O'Gara, serving a 10-week touchline ban, they stuck to their ruthless game plan and plundered their four-try bonus point before the first half had ended

PUSHING ON: Dillyn Leyds of La Rochelle scores a try. Pic: INPHO/Manuel Blondeau

Reigning champions La Rochelle showed they are in no mood to release their grip on the Heineken Champions Cup as they put Northampton to the sword at Stade Marcel Deflandre with a 46-14 victory.

Even without head coach Ronan O'Gara, serving a 10-week touchline ban, in their dug out, they stuck to their ruthless game plan and plundered their four-try bonus point before the first half had ended. That made it 32-0 at the break and they added two more tries early in the second half to extend their lead to 46.