Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle tighten play-off grip with sharp victory over Montpellier

Against Montpellier, La Rochelle picked up their first try-scoring bonus point since November. 

La Rochelle are up to fifth in the Top 14. Pic: XAVIER LEOTY/AFP via Getty Images

Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle climbed to fifth in the Top 14 with a sharp 47-18 bonus-point win over fellow play-off chasers Montpellier at Stade Marcel Deflandre in the closing match of the Top 14’s 24th weekend.

Just two places in the top six remain open – and every side down to Lyon, in 11th, is still in the hunt as the regular season winds down – points in the bag are more important than points in potential. This was La Rochelle’s first domestic try-scoring bonus since their win over Stade Francais on November 2.