O'Gara and La Rochelle back to winning ways as Thomas returns with a brace

Top 14 round-up: Thomas played at outside centre for the second time in his career but he was found in more traditional wing areas for both tries.

TEDDY TOUCHDOWN: La Rochelle's French centre Teddy Thomas (C) scores a try during the French Top14 rugby union match between Union Bordeaux-Begles (UBB) and Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle) at The Marcel-Deflandre Stadium in La Rochelle, western France on October 20, 2024. Pic: XAVIER LEOTY / AFP

Teddy Thomas marked his return from a four-week injury lay-off with two first-half tries as Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle weathered a second half fightback to beat 14-player Bordeaux 32-22 in a messy yet strangely entertaining game of cards at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Thomas played at outside centre for the second time in his career and the second time in his last two appearances – he scored twice in his first outing against Toulouse, too – but he was found in more traditional wing areas for both tries.