Six tries for O'Gara's La Rochelle in defeat of youthful Leicester
Investec Champions Cup Round 1, Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle, France 6/12/2025
Leicester delivered a plucky display but a Tigers side featuring several Champions Cup debutants went down to a 39-20 defeat at Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle.
Gregory Alldritt had a try disallowed before putting the hosts ahead the second time he touched down, while La Rochelle led 10-0 after the first quarter when Jules Favre dotted down.
Billy Searle’s penalty and Joaquin Moro’s converted try evened things up at 10-10 after half-an-hour, but Oscar Jegou crossed just before the interval, with Ihaia West adding the extras for the first time.
Searle’s penalty meant La Rochelle led 17-13 at half-time, but Jegou’s converted try gave them some breathing room before West’s penalty stretched their advantage even further.
La Rochelle used all their experience in the second half to boss a young Leicester side and quickfire tries from UJ Seuteni and Nathan Bollengier sealed a bonus-point win for the 2022 and 2023 champions.
Leicester did at least have the final say as Will Wand bagged a converted try in the dying moments, but they start their Pool Three campaign on a losing note and sit bottom after one round.
Tries: Alldritt, Favre, Jegou 2, Seuteni, Bollengier Cons: West 2, Jurd Pens: West
Tries: Moro, Wand Cons: Searle, Titcombe Pens: Searle 2
Leyds; Niniashvili, Seguret, Seuteni, Favre; West, Berjon; Kaddouri, Latu, Sclavi, Lavault, Kante Samba, Jegou, Botia, Alldritt.
Replacements: Lespiaucq, Wardi, Atonio, Dillane, Andjisseramatchi, Couillaud, Jurd, Bollengier.
Pearson; Radwan, Wand, Woodward, Hassell-Collins; Searle, Whiteley; Haffar, Clare, Hurd, Henderson, Wells, Thompson, J Manz, Moro.
Replacements: Theobald-Thomas, Van der Flier, Loman, T Manz, Williams, Allan, Titcombe, Kata.
Yellow card: Pearson (16), Hurd (44)
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