Stade Rochelais’ route to the Champions Cup final
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Champions Cup holders Stade Rochelais have reached another final after steamrollering Exeter Chiefs in their semi-final. We take a look at their journey to a second successive final against Leinster Rugby, this time at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 20.
Round 1: Stade Rochelais 46 Northampton Saints 12
The 2022 Heineken Champions Cup winners started their Pool B campaign at home to Gallagher Premiership side Northampton Saints, running out 46-12 winners.
The hosts scored six tries, with fullback Brice Dulin, hooker Pierre Bourgarit, flanker Paul Boudehent, wing, Dillyn Leyds, Number 8 Grégory Alldritt and centre Ulupano Seuteni all crossing. Fly-half Antoine Hastoy kicked 16 points.
Round 2: Ulster Rugby 29 Stade Rochelais 36
La Rochelle’s first away trip of the season took them to Ireland, where they earned a second successive victory to start their campaign.
Fly-half Antoine Hastoy, fullback Brice Dulin and hooker Pierre Bourgarit all dotted down for the TOP14 side- with Hastoy kicking three conversions and five penalties.
Round 3: Stade Rochelais 7 Ulster Rugby 3
Irish province Ulster posed a real challenge to La Rochelle when they travelled to the Stade Marcel Deflandre in the Heineken Champions Cup, with the hosts needing a late try to take victory.
It was replacement Joel Sclavi who got the game-winning 81st minute try- with fly-half Antoine Hastoy converting.
Round 4: Northampton Saints 13 Stade Rochelais 31
La Rochelle confirmed top spot in Pool B in their final pool stage match, as they continued their Heineken Champions Cup defence with victory on the road against Northampton.
Flanker Levani Botia, replacement Quentin Lespiaucq-Brettes (2), Number 8 Grégory Alldritt and centre Ulupano Seuteni all went over for the French team.
Round of 16: Stade Rochelais 29 Gloucester Rugby 26
La Rochelle needed the home crowd to help overcome Gloucester in a thrilling Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 affair.
Scores from hooker Pierre Bourgarit, scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow and wing Teddy Thomas (2) were crucial for the 2022 champions, as were nine points from the boot of fly-half Antoine Hastoy.
Quarter-final: Stade Rochelais 24 Saracens 10
La Rochelle were imperious in their dismantling of Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final stage.
Scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow dotted down twice, while fly-half Antoine Hastoy punished Saracens by kicking four penalties and a conversion.
Semi-final: Stade Rochelais 47 Exeter Chiefs 28
A dominant performance against Exeter saw La Rochelle book their spot in a third Heineken Champions Cup final in three years and set up a replay of last year’s final against Leinster.
Wing Raymond Rhule (2), centre Ulupano Seuteni, Number 8 Grégory Alldritt, scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow (2) and hooker Pierre Bourgarit powered the holders to the showpiece in Dublin, with fly-half Antoine Hastoy kicking six conversions.
