TOP 14 Highlights Round 15: La Rochelle v Montpellier

Another cracking game at the jam-packed Stade Marcel-Deflandre saw La Rochelle edge Montpellier by just two points thanks to a late Jone Qovu try. Montpellier were fastest out of the blocks with Henry Immelman scoring for the visitors but La Rochelle hit back when the visitors were down to 14-men through flanker Alexis Bales. Daniel Brennan made things even worse for Montpellier when he was sin binned in the 27th minute as Romain Sazy added his name to scoresheet soon after. Restored to full complements Montpellier look to hit back before the break and succeed with Benoit Paillaugue converting a penalty and Jan Serfontein scoring a try to give the visitors a 1 point lead at half time. Jacques du Plessis kept his impressive scoring run going with a try in the 44th minute but La Rochelle hit back almost instantly with Vincent Rattez going over just three mintues later. Ihaia West and Paillaugue traded penalties with the later missing one that would have extended Montpellier's lead to 8 points with 7 minutes left to play. With the crowd behind them La Rochelle forced their way over the line with 5 minutes left on the clock and survived the Montpellier onslaught that followed to claim the victory.