La Rochelle move back into top six with victory over Toulon

Victory came at a price for La Rochelle. Ultan Dillane and Paul Boudehent both limped off in the opening period

a Rochelle’s Levani Botia. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

Levani Botia marked his 200th appearance with a decisive try on the stroke of halftime as Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle climbed back into the Top 14’s top six with a 27-17 win over Toulon that was more dominant than the scoreline suggests.

With the visitors reduced to 14 after France prop Jean-Baptiste Gros was yellow carded following one infringement too many, Botia forced his way over from short-range to give the home side a crucial advantage going into the break in front of the 90th full-house in a row at Stade Marcel Deflandre.