La Rochelle's rollercoaster season ends with Paris pain
Stade Français' French number 8 Yoan Tanga celebrates after his team scores a try against La Rochelle. Pic: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP via Getty Images
La Rochelle’s season came to a crushing end in the Barrages stage of the Top14 as they lost 45-5 away to Stade Francais on Sunday night, in a reverse of the sides’ last meeting just eight days prior.
A brace of tries from Romain Briatte and another from Leo Barré saw Paul Gustard’s men take a 19-point half-time lead, which they never surrendered.
First blood went the way of the hosts, who dominated the first 40 minutes. Openside flanker Briatte powered over the line to put the Parisians in front after just seven minutes, which became a seven-point lead following a routine Louis Carbonel conversion.
A second Stade try finally arrived before the half hour mark as Briatte again dotted down, this time from the back of a rolling maul.
Leo Barré’s five pointer six minutes later looked like curtains for Ronan O’Gara’s charges, who were torn open by Peniasi Dakuwaqa on the counter-attack.
19-0 behind, half time proved a reprieve for the two-time European champions.
O’Gara opted to use his bench early in hopes of divine intervention, with Botia, Bougarit and Seuteni among those called upon early in the second period.
Semi Lagivala’s searing line break from his own 22 handed La Rochelle a lifeline, as it culminated in a try for Jules Favre after 50 minutes. Nolann Le Garrec’s conversion attempt skewed wide, but the deficit was back to a more manageable 14.
However, the fightback was nipped in the bud by the Parisians when Joe Marchant pounced on the hour mark.
Jeremy Ward and Marchant again added tries five and six with Carbonel converting all three scores from the touchline before Romain Briatte secured his hat-trick with the last play as the home side romped to victory.
Saturday's matchup saw Pau stunned at home by a resurgent Racing 92 outfit. Pau had not lost a home game all season until Saturday night's shock 33-31 defeat in the preliminary semi-final tie.
The Parisians led by 16 points heading into the final quarter with scrum-half Leo Carbonneau scoring two tries, while number ten Antoine Gibert kicked a whopping 18 points from the tee.
Pau rallied, albeit to no avail, and were pipped at the post, ending their chances of returning to a Top 14 final for the first time in the professional era.
Next weekend's semi-finals, a split double header in Marseille, sees Toulouse take on Racing on Friday night; with Montpellier and Stade Francais duelling it out on Saturday evening.
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