Match Centre: Investec Champions Cup: Bath 20-24 La Rochelle

Finn Russell was part of the losing Bath side
Finn Russell was part of the losing Bath side
©PA

Bath Rugby 20-24 La Rochelle, The Rec

In a thrilling opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, Stade Rochelais narrowly defeated Bath Rugby 24-20 in challenging weather conditions at The Rec.

Despite Bath's spirited fightback in the second half, the French side held firm to secure a hard-fought victory.

Bath started brightly under pouring rain, forcing early errors from Stade Rochelais. Finn Russell opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a penalty after the visitors were penalized near their try line.

However, La Rochelle quickly found their rhythm, with Oscar Jegou scoring the first try in the 18th minute, converted by Ihaia West.

The visitors extended their lead with a powerful close-range try from Reda Wardi in the 27th minute, pushing the score to 3-14.

Although Russell added another penalty for Bath in the 30th minute, La Rochelle responded in style. A quick line-out move set up a slick play that allowed Tawera Kerr-Barlow to dart over for a third try, taking the score to 6-21 at halftime.

The home side showed renewed energy in the second half, buoyed by the crowd at The Rec.

Charlie Ewels disrupted La Rochelle’s line-outs early, helping Bath gain valuable territory. In the 48th minute, Tom Dunn powered over the try line, supported by a rolling maul, with Russell converting to reduce the deficit.

Bath struck again in the 57th minute as Quinn Roux reacted quickly to a kick chase, touching down under the posts. Russell’s conversion brought the hosts within a point. However, a penalty from West in the 58th minute extended La Rochelle's lead to 24-20.

As the game progressed, both sides battled fiercely under swirling winds. Bath pressed for a late score, but La Rochelle's defense held firm, denying the home team a dramatic comeback.

Bath Rugby will look to bounce back in Round 2 of the Investec Champions Cup against Benetton Rugby on December 15. Their next European home fixture at The Rec is scheduled for January 12 against ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Team line up:

Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Redpath, Butt, Muir; Russell, Schreuder; Du Toit, Dunn, Stuart, Roux, Ewels (capt), Hill, Pepper, Reid.

Reserves: Annett, Van Wyk, Griffin, Molony, Bayliss, Carr-Smith, Ojomoh, Coetzee.

La Rochelle: Dulin; Nowell, Seuteni, Danty, Leyds; West, Kerr-Barlow; Wardi, Latu, Atonio, Lavault, Skelton, Jegou, Haddad, Alldritt (capt).

Reserves: Lespiaucq, Penverne, Colombe Reazel, Douglas, Botia, Berjon, Reus, Thomas.

 
 
 
 

European Rugby Champions Cup Points Table