La Rochelle 41
Ulster Rugby 17
Adam McKendry at the Stade Marcel Deflandre
A STUNNING SECOND-half performance from La Rochelle left Ulster licking many wounds as they were subject to a 41-17 loss at the Stade Marcel Deflandre in the Champions Cup.
Four second-half tries for the Top14 outfit reflected their superior lasting ability as they turned a tight affair at half-time into a straightforward victory that puts them in control of Pool 1.
It was a changed side for Ulster, who left star names such as John Cooney, Luke Marshall and Jacob Stockdale on the bench, but even so this result will sting regardless of the fact that it does little to impact their last eight hopes.
After Ulster’s excellent defence over the last two games, it took La Rochelle three minutes to score their first try, a knock on in midfield letting the hosts snap up the loose ball, allowing Jérémy Sinzelle to sprint over unopposed.
But Ulster hit back with a sensational score of their own, Darren Cave going on the wraparound to create the space for Charles Piutau and Christian Leali’ifano to link up, with the All Black sending the Wallaby over for the try.
Leali’ifano then put Ulster into the lead with a penalty as the visitors ramped up the pressure early, doing a good job of quietening the deafening home support.
The La Rochelle comeback was inevitable though, and they thought they had a try when Gabriel LaCroix was sent over by Paul Jordaan only for it to be called back for what seemed to be a harsh forward pass.
Alexi Bales, with Ryan Lamb having departed due to injury, did knock over two penalties to put La Rochelle in front again, and that would be how the two sides would go in at the interval as defences reigned supreme.
But from the moment the game restarted the momentum was all in the favour of the French giants and, as the crowd rose to a crescendo, so did the players.
Their second try was 10 minutes in coming and, after some more excellent Ulster defence, they were beaten by some great broken field running from winger LaCroix, who gave it to Geoffrey Doumayrou and he in turn sent over Victor Vito.
The hosts even had a try chalked off by the TMO, Tommy Bowe getting back in the nick of time to deny Jordaan in the corner, before Kevin Gourdon added their third, stepping inside a flailing defender to go over.
The bonus point came just after the hour mark as they capitalised on a stretched Ulster defence and hands sent over Pierre Aguillon who, to his credit, still had to run it in from the 10 metre line.
A fifth was nothing more than gloss to the scoreline as the forwards flexed their muscles, turning Ulster over after they won a lineout and captain Jason Eaton was on hand to set down in the corner.
To their credit Ulster kept coming and they did get one back as Piutau slipped his man and dabbed through a perfect kick for Tommy Bowe to race onto and score a consolation.
Thoughts of perhaps getting a four-try bonus point were ended when Jacob Stockdale, on as a replacement, wasted a good attacking chance by throwing an offload into touch, ending a torrid afternoon for Ulster that for a long time promised to be a lot more.
Scorers for La Rochelle
Tries: Sinzelle, Vito, Gourdon, Aguillon, Eaton
Cons: Lamb (1 from 1), Bales (2 from 2), Goillot (2 from 2)
Pens: Bales (2 from 2)
Ulster
Tries: Leali’ifano, Bowe
Cons: Leali’ifano (1 from 1), Cooney (1 from 1)
Pen: Leali’ifano (1 from 1)
LA ROCHELLE: (15-9) Vincent Rattez, Gabriel LaCroix, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Pierre Aguillon, Jérémy Sinzelle (Eliot Roudil 67), Ryan Lamb (Paul Jordaan 9), Alexi Bales (Jean-Victor Goillot 61); (1-8) Dany Priso (Mike Corbel 53), Hikairo Forbes (Pierre Bourgarit 65), Uini Atonio (Vincent Pelo 57), Jason Eaton (Romain Sazy 67), Jone Qovu (William Demotte 67), Levani Botia, Kevin Gourdon, Victor Vito.
ULSTER RUGBY: (15-9) Charles Piutau, Andrew Trimble (Jacob Stockdale 52), Darren Cave (Luke Marshall 65), Stuart McCloskey, Tommy Bowe, Christian Leali’ifano (John Cooney 48), Paul Marshall; (1-8) Callum Black (Andy Warwick 70), Rob Herring (Rory Best 62), Wiehahn Herbst (Rodney Ah You 53), Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (Robbie Diack 57), Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Sean Reidy (Matty Rea 68).
Man of the Match: Victor Vito (La Rochelle)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
