Historical. After three defeats in the final, La Rochelle went for the first title in its history, the most beautiful in European rugby, by beating the Irish from Leinster (24-21), Saturday in Marseille, in the final of the Champions Cup, thanks to a try scored at the last minute by Arthur Retière. Beaten in the European Challenge by Clermont (36-16) in 2019 then by Toulouse in the Top 14 (18-8) and in the European Cup (22-17) last season, the Maritimes have finally shattered the glass ceiling. A real feat against one of the most successful teams in the competition.
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The brave Rochelais stood up to the Irish steamroller, who had nevertheless knocked out the leader of the Top 14 Montpellier (89-7) then the holding Toulouse (40-17) before. Despite their indiscipline (13 penalties including four for Dany Priso alone), they even did better than resist, the Dublin franchise only responding to the tests of Raymond Rhule (10th), Pierre Bourgarit (61st) and Retière (79th) only by the foot of Sexton and Byrne.
After Toulouse, Toulon and Brive
Still in Pro D2 in 2014, the La Rochelle club rose through the ranks, little by little, until it became a cador both nationally and on the continental scene. Here he is installed at the table of the greats, 13th team titled in the most prestigious competition of European rugby. The caravel club also becomes the fourth French formation to settle on the roof of Europe after Toulouse (1996, 2003, 2005, 2010, 2021) obviously but also Toulon (2013, 2014, 2015) and Brive (1997 ).
Ronan O’Gara’s men also prevent Cian Healy and Jonathan Sexton from becoming the most successful European Cup players. The two Irish internationals will have to wait another year to sew a fifth star, like the Toulouse team, on their jersey. Still, the King of Europe will now have to confirm. Fourth in the Top 14, La Rochelle will have to win in Lyon on the 26th and last day, in a week, to validate its ticket for the final phase. But, since Saturday, impossible is not Rochelais.
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