Top 14: Lyon end Bordeaux run, La Rochelle go for youth

The 20-year-old New Zealander Leupolu is one of 14 academy players in La Rochelle's matchday 23

Lyon's players celebrate their victory at the end of the French Top14 rugby union match between Union Bordeaux-Begles (UBB) and Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby (LOU) at the Chaban-Delmas Stadium in Bordeaux, south-western France, on January 25, 2025. Photo by PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Backrow Tyreese Leupolu and second row Simon Huchet will make their senior debuts on Sunday as Ronan O’Gara plays the youth card for La Rochelle's match against Toulon at Stade Mayol.

O’Gara has had to make several changes to his line-up after France coach Fabien Galthie decided not to release Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Georges-Henri Colombe and Oscar Jegou ahead of Friday’s Six Nations opener against Wales at Stade de France.