La Rochelle keep pressure on leaders Toulouse with victory over Bayonne

Ronan O'Gara's side had too much for the visitors.

La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

A much-changed La Rochelle provisionally closed the gap on Top 14 leaders Toulouse with a workmanlike 26-6 win over a lacklustre Bayonne in front of another full-house at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Will Skelton, Gregory Alldritt, Ultan Dillane, Levani Botia, and Tawera Kerr-Barlow were notable absentees from Ronan O’Gara’s side on their return to domestic action after booking hard-fought passage to the Champions Cup semi-finals, while Antoine Hastoy and Uini Atonio were on the bench.