O'Gara rings changes and sees La Rochelle feast on Montauban in eight-try romp

Top 14 round-up: Irish coach guides his side back to winning ways at home with 54-19 demolition of newly-promoted visitors

EYES ON BALL: La Rochelle's Irish coach Ronan O'Gara holds a ball during the French Top14 rugby union match between Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle) and US Montauban at The Marcel-Deflandre Stadium in La Rochelle, western France, on October 18, 2025. Pic: XAVIER LEOTY/AFP

Veterans Ihaia West and Levani Botia shone brightest in a squad studded with rising stars as Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle ran in eight tries in a 54-19 bonus-point victory over promoted Montauban at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

O’Gara rang the changes for his side’s return to home soil after two defeats of varying quality on the road, injuries and routine rotation necessitating the inclusion of several France under-20 internationals.