La Rochelle Overcome Brave Lions to Claim Bonus-Point Victory
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The match took place under heartbreaking circumstances following the death of Lions lock Hyron Andrews on Friday. The teams observed a minute's silence before kick-off, while supporters rose to applaud in the fifth minute in tribute to the late second-row forward. The Lions chose to honour their teammate by fulfilling the fixture.
Despite the difficult circumstances, the Lions made an impressive start. Their attacking intent was rewarded in the fifth minute when Van Wyk crossed for the opening try following a well-executed switch of play. The visitors took a 7–0 lead and showed early determination against the two-time European champions.
La Rochelle gradually found their rhythm through their powerful forward pack. Prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi finished a sustained attacking move in the 18th minute to level the scores at 7–7.
The home side continued to apply pressure, with their forwards making valuable metres around the gain line. Their efforts paid off in the 31st minute when Oscar Jegou crossed following a powerful driving maul, putting La Rochelle ahead 14–7.
The first half ended dramatically. After both teams received yellow cards, fly-half Antoine Hastoy produced an excellent kick-pass for Georgian winger Davite Niniashvili, who finished in the 39th minute. The try gave La Rochelle a 19–14 lead at half-time, although the Lions remained firmly in contention.
The second half developed into a physical battle, with the Lions continuing to challenge the hosts through their aggressive defence and attacking carries. La Rochelle struggled at times to put the visitors away, but their experience eventually proved decisive.
In the 62nd minute, replacement hooker Pierre Bourgarit’s replacement, Tolu Latu, crossed after a well-controlled driving maul. The successful finish extended La Rochelle's lead to 24–14 and gave the hosts greater breathing room.
The Lions continued to fight and came close to adding another try, but a potential score by Steyn was ruled out following a video review for a handling error.
La Rochelle finally secured their bonus-point try in the 79th minute. Niniashvili helped create the opening after a penalty was played quickly, allowing replacement Niusalelekitoga to finish in the corner. The try sealed a 31–14 victory for the French side.
For La Rochelle, the result provides a positive start to their European campaign, with Jegou and Hastoy among the standout performers. The hosts showed patience and composure to overcome a spirited challenge, particularly in a first half when the Lions threatened to upset the favourites.
The Lions, meanwhile, deserve credit for their courage and commitment in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Their early try and sustained resistance ensured the match remained competitive for long periods, as the team paid tribute to a teammate whose loss was felt throughout the rugby community.
Final score: La Rochelle 31–14 Lions.
