Vincent Rattez's slick footwork sends La Rochelle into the Challenge Cup semis

Vincent Rattez's slick footwork sends La Rochelle into the Challenge Cup semis

La Rochelle brushed past Bristol Bears to book their place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals with Vincent Rattez starring for the home side. 

The La Rochelle pack dominated the opening stages of the game with newly capped test Les Bleus flanker Gregory Alldritt opening the scoring from the maul before the La Rochelle pack was awarded a penalty try in the 20th minute to extend the lead to 17-3.

Rattez first bit of brilliance came in the build-up to Geoffrey Doumayrou's try in the 26th minute, the fullback picked up a loose ball, straightened and burst through the defence and found his centre in support. 

His second bit of magic came from a counter-attack after Bristol lost their lineout, kicked the ball forward and La Rochelle took the lineout quickly. Rattez's side was tracking back before the fullback attacked the line and beat Steven Luatua with a great step and went just metres short before offloading to Wian Liebenberg who finished off the try. 


After setting up the first two tries Rattez got on the scoreboard himself with a lovely attack that saw ghost through a gap between Dan Thomas and George Smith in what was an outstanding solo try.


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