Match Report:Champions Stade Rochelais maul Northampton
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Stade Rochelais began the defence of their Heineken Champions Cup crown with an emphatic 46-12 victory over Northampton Saints at the Stade Marcel Deflandre on Saturday evening.
Brice Dulin, Pierre Bourgarit, Pierre Boudehent and Dillyn Leyds all crossed the Northampton whitewash in the first period as La Rochelle opened up a 32-0 lead at the interval.
Further tries from Grégory Alldritt and Ulupano Seuteni extended the lead for the hosts, with Antoine Hastoy tallying 16 points in the contest from the tee.
Northampton notched late tries through James Ramm and Matty Proctor, but were thoroughly outplayed for the majority of the contest.
🎯 Pinpoint kick
⚡️ Lightning quick step
💪 Strong finish@staderochelais are turning on the style in La Rochelle 👏#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/0uMmkeve4j
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 10, 2022
The defending champions started in emphatic fashion, opening their account for the season after just three minutes. Full-back Dulin corralled a loose ball on the left flank and dashed to the corner to score.
Bourgarit added the second try of the contest halfway through the second period. The hooker broke off the side of a rolling maul to touch down in the corner.
Wing Boudehent then got in on the scoring action as La Rochelle made use of another lineout close to the try line. The wing rushed down the short side on the left flank before dotting down under the posts.
Dillyn Leyds scored the bonus-point try in added time at the end of the first half. A lofted pass to the right flank allowed the wing to step inside two defenders before crossing the whitewash in the corner.
Things got worse for Northampton early in the second half when Alldritt blocked a Saints clearance and scooped up the loose ball to score just four minutes after the restart.
La Rochelle added further points on the scoreboard when Dulin produced a beautiful cross-field kick to find Seuteni on the right flank, who beat two defenders before crossing the whitewash.
Northampton did score two late consolation tries through Ramm and Proctor, but the match was very much won at a canter by the hosts.
La Rochelle head to Ireland in the second round of fixtures to take on Ulster Rugby next Saturday, while Northampton entertain Irish opposition of their own when Munster Rugby visit cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday.
