Champions Cup Final: La Rochelle Player Ratings v Toulouse
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La Rochelle failed in their attempt to claim their maiden Champions Cup title in the first final as they fell to a 17-22 defeat at the hands of Toulouse.
Here is how we rated Jono Gibbes and Ronan O'Gara's men.
15. Brice Dulin - 7
A standard game from Dulin as he was solid in the air. He kicked out of hand well too and had a few threatening runs on the counter.
14. Dillyn Leyds - 6.5
Did well to field some poor passes which came his way in the first half. Went off for an HIA, which he passed, and returned to make a few crucial tackles - a particularly good one on Lebel which prevented a try. Didn't quite have the impact he would have linked and was replaced in the last quarter. Hard to find too many faults in his game.
13. Geoffrey Doumayrou - 6.5
With his centre partner sent off, Doumayrou stepped on defensively to make some excellent reads and even an outstanding try-saving tackle on Cheslin Kolbe. While being defensively sound, he didn't offer too much on attack.
An INCREDIBLE tackle from Geoffrey Doumayrou 🤯#HeinekenChampionsCup
pic.twitter.com/6kBDhwpdXy
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) May 22, 2021
12. Levani Botia - 2
Spilt a pass in the 20th minute with La Rochelle knocking on the door of Toulouse's tryline. He then gave a penalty away which allowed Toulouse to clear.
Rightly sent off for a high tackle on Maxime Medard.
11. Raymond Rhule - 7
Made a thumping tackle right after Botia's red card to set the tone for La Rochelle that they would not be walked over for the rest of the final. Moved into the midfield after the red card and had some great offloads and carries to match some good defence.
10. Ihaia West - 6
Tested Toulouse's backfield with some nice kicks but it was his efforts from the tee that let his side down as they kept coming off the bar.
Some of his game management let the side down too as they failed to capitalise on their opportunities.
9. Tawera Kerr Barlow - 7
Took his chance well to score and give La Rochelle a slim hope of stealing the game. His passes were crisp and his defence solid.
Had some good kicks out of hand too.
1. Dany Priso - 6
Surprisingly replaced at half time after getting the better of Charlie Faumuina in the first half.
2. Pierre Bourgarit - 7.5
La Rochelle's lineout operated without fault and Bourgarit's darts were accurate throughout.
He was strong on either side of the ball too and covered the pitch well.
3. Uini Atonio - 6
Got the better of Cyril Baille in the scrums during the first half. Not too busy around the park though.
4. Romain Sazy - 6
Excellent in the lineout and was busy on defence. Could have made a bigger impact on attack making just one carry and one pass the entire game.
5. Will Skelton - 6
His usual physical self with a few strong carries in the midfield but Toulouse had him marked and his impact was somewhat blunted.
Skelton v Dupont 🤕#HeinekenChampionsCup #SRST #LARvTOU pic.twitter.com/5dXABHgzrq
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) May 22, 2021
6. Grégory Alldritt - 8
A tireless and brutal performance from the French International. Got stuck into absolutely everything. If La Rochelle were able to win the title, it would have been largely due to the effort of Alldritt.
He trucked it up into contact 17 times making 43 running metres and was a presence at the breakdown and defensively.
7. Kevin Gourdon - 6
Quiet game for the openside flanker. His carries weren't as effective as they have been in the past but he did make all his tackles before being replaced in the final 20 minutes.
8. Victor Vito - 5.5
Not as flashy as he has been in recent games but got stuck in defensively and averaged three metres per carry before being taken off with 25 minutes to go.
Replacements:
16. Facundo Bosch - 5: Lineouts continued to operate well with Bosch on the pitch while he was quieter around the park, than Bourgarit, in the final 20.
17. Reda Wardi - 6: Not quite as effective come scrum time in the second half but did make a massive 13 tackles.
18. Arthur Joly - 5
19. Thomas Lavault - 5
20. Wiaan Liebenberg - 5
21. Paul Boudehent - n/a
22. Arthur Retiere - 5
23. Jules Plisson - n/a