Top 14: La Rochelle end Castres' long unbeaten home run

ROAD WIN: La Rochelle's Irish coach Ronan O'Gara looks on at the end of the French Top14 rugby union match between Castres Olympique and Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle) at The Pierre-Fabre Stadium in Castres. Pic: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle ended a long-standing unbeaten Top 14 home run as they beat Castres 32-17 at Stade Pierre Fabre to leave last season’s losing domestic finalists precariously close to the relegation spots with just eight matches to play.

As O’Gara prowled the touchline, ban served, the Rochelais’ first win in three matches came courtesy of a pragmatic gameplan that brought the hosts’ 30-match unbeaten domestic record, dating back to December 22, 2020, to a shuddering halt.