LA ROCHELLE CLAIMED just their second away win of the season on Saturday, running in four tries to defeat Toulon 34-29 and set up a French Top 14 semi-final against Toulouse.
Toulon, playing in the post-season for the first time since 2018, were indebted to full-back Melvyn Jaminet’s kicking accuracy for all of their 15 points in the first half.
However, they were trailing 24-15 by that stage with out-half Antoine Hastoy, winger Dillyn Leyds and centre Jules Favre all scoring tries as Ronan O’Gara’s side opened a nine-point lead.
After the interval, penalties and errors proved costly for Toulon and they quickly conceded a fourth try when flanker Oscar Jegou crossed.
Hastoy kicked his fourth conversion as La Rochelle stretched their advantage to 31-15.
La Rochelle forwards Will Skelton and Judicael Cancoriet were both yellow-carded in the last 10 minutes.
Toulon were awarded a penalty try before English hooker Jack Singleton put some gloss on a deceptive final score with a try with the last move of the game.
On Sunday, Bordeaux-Begles face Racing 92 in the second play-off with the winners to tackle Stade Francais for a place in the final.
TG for some decent Rugby news today…. Love to see O Gara as the next Irish coach…. We need to change things up and prepare for the next world cup. Up to now the Irish team has picked itself and on strength of Leinster … it worked but only to an extent…. We need to freshen things up and make all 4 provinces feel they are part of what Irish international rugby make up.
@Den: next england coach more like
@Den: the David humphreys interview was intresting in that he highlighted the flair players for Ireland , Lowe, JGP, Hansen and Aki didn’t come through the Irish system and something needs changed to produce those game breaking players as 3 were from residency and we can’t go that route anymore now its 5 rather than 3 years. Also said he wouldn’t ever make a player change province, but the lack of ambition to get first team/big game experience would reflect poorly on them when it comes to national selection. As for RoG think he only got one ban this season so far which is an improvement, but in my opinion needs more improvement on that before a big international team will consider him, think its 6 or seven bans now since became Stade Rochelle head coach.
@Kingshu: if Murphy has a cpl good seasons with Ulster he’s right in the picture. They’d likely much rather hire from within than O’Gara
@Ciaran Kennedy: Maybe Ulster do the double next season but would imagine the top job in Irish rugby would need a bit more of a CV (whoever it is)
@Den: Think O’Gara needs to prove he can do it with an Irish provincial team before being hired as Irish coach. He won’t have access to the giant La Rochelle pack within the Irish system.
@Rainbows In the Dark: Agreed, ROG for Leinster manager……
@Kingshu: I’ve been living in France for 25 years and the bans are xenophobic. French coaches have gotten away with much worse on a regular basis. Urios of Clermont could literally be banned after every match to name but one!
@Rainbows In the Dark: yah, just like Farrell did, remind me again what Province was Farrell the head coach???