Thanks to an incredible end of the match, La Rochelle beat the Irish to win the first European title in its history, Saturday on the lawn of the Vélodrome.
by
A first star at the end of the suspense! In a Stade Vélodrome de Marseille completely acquired in their cause, the Maritimes won in the final of the European Rugby Cup against the Irish Leinster (24-21) on Saturday May 28. A first European title acquired at the last second thanks to an Essay by Arthur Retière, after an endless test of strength in front of the Irish line.
Unhappy at the same stage of the competition last year, as in the final of the Top 14 – the twice against Toulouse -, the Rochelais this time managed to register their name in the European list. Stade Rochelais becomes the fourth French club to win the “large” European cup after Toulouse (five titles), Brive (UN) and Toulon (three). They render a proud service to the Toulouse stadium in passing: Lenster could indeed equal the Red and Black record in case of success on Saturday.
Tuesday, May 24, coach Rochelais Ronan O’Gara confided that his club was “better armed” than the previous season to win the title, and that this final against Leinster was “a tremendous opportunity”. Despite a difficult start to meet and two penalties by Jonathan Sexton (5 e and 8 e ), the Rochelais gave him right by hitting the first.
On a pass after contact, the man of the match Dillyn Leyds indeed found the South African winger Raymond Rhule, who was going to mark the first try of the meeting by beating the last defender of a hook (12 E ). A few seconds later, Ihaia West transformed into a corner, he who had been in difficulty in the exercise in the last finals; The New Zealand opener allowed La Rochelle to take the advantage (7-6).
dominators at the physical challenge
dominated in impact, and undergoing the charges of the overpowered second Australian line Will Skelton and the French international Uini ATONIO, the Irish could not put their game as during their demonstration in the semi-finals facing in Toulouse (40-17). But Celtic players were realism to take up the scoring thanks to the Sexton’s foot (22 e ). In a position to mark a penalty, the Rochelais chose the melee and lost the ball in stride. A few minutes later, and in the same situation, the Irish chose them, in the profession, to make the scoring fatty before half-time (12-7, 40
Upon returning from the locker room, the leinster players continued their tactics: garnish all the points that arise. In chief of the conductor, Jonathan Sexton continued to play his score with two new penalties (48
Then led by four points (17-21), the men of Ronan O’Gara decided to play a penalty in touch at the 69 e minute to force fate. The beginning of an interminable test of strength: the Rochelais have multiplied the charges and impacts, retaining the ball thanks to returns to advantages for penalty.
🏉🏆 heroic! At the end of the suspense, the Maritimes snatch the European title at Leinster thanks to a Test of Retiè… https://t.co/zwcvwnebsk
And while the forwards had been scouring for long minutes, it was finally Arthur Retière, returned to play a few minutes earlier at the melee half post, who managed to relax his arm to register the Liberation test ( 79
An achievement synonymous with a historic victory for La Rochelle, and an incredible year for French rugby. This success of the Maritimes is added to the title of the Blues in the Six Nations Tournament, and to that of Lyon Friday May 27, against Toulon in the final of the European challenge.