Following their impressive Investec Champions Cup opening day win over Bath Rugby last weekend, Stade Rochelais repeated the feat over Bristol Bears with a bonus point 35-07 win
Bristol Bears made things hard for themselves from the get-go when Gabriel Oghre saw yellow for a high tackle.
The English side did well to keep Stade Rochelais at bay whilst they were a man down, but the French side soon found the opener thanks to a spectacular Jack Nowell try which required forensic TMO analysis to deservedly award.
The English side did not let this affect their efforts however, and they came close to getting themselves back into the tie a couple of times during the opening half.
They rued any missed opportunities however as La Rochelle got their second on 27 minutes through Tolu Latu.
The visitors’ efforts were not completely in vain as they pulled themselves back to within a converted-try difference after Jack Bates weaved his way through the French defence to cut the hosts' lead to 14-06 at the halftime break.
The French side were keen to continue their first-half form as they came out for the second, and they found the breakthrough courtesy of Levani Botia. The Fijian flanker had an instant impact off the bench to power his way through the Bears’ back line to get his side’s third of the evening.
The bonus point was soon to be earned for the hosts when UJ Seuteni turned home before Thomas Berjon put the cherry on top in the final seconds, securing a deserved 35-07 win.
Getting the better of Bristol this weekend, this signifies a second win over English opposition in as many weeks for Stade Rochelais. And it is bound to set them in good stead going into January’s fixtures.
Scorers:
Stade Rochelais: Tries: Jack Nowell, Tolu Latu, Levani Botia, UJ Seuteni, Thomas Berjon Conversions: Ihaia West.
Bristol Bears: Try: Jack Bates. Conversion: Sam Worsley.
Teams:
Stade Rochelais: Dillyn Leyds, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Teddy Thomas, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Grégory Alldritt (c), 7 Matthias Haddad, 6 Oscar Jegou, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Reda Wardi. Replacements: 16 Quentin Lespiaucq, 17 Louis Penverne, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Levani Botia, 21 Judicael Cancoriet, 22 Thomas Berjon, 23 Jules Favre.
Bristol Bears: 15 Benjamin Elizalde, 14 Jack Bates, 13 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 Sam Worsley, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Santiago Grondona, 5 Joe Owen, 4 Steven Luatua (c), 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 2 Gabriel Oghre, 1 Ellis Genge. Replacements: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Jamie Hodgson, 20 Ben Grondona, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Rich Lane, 23 Joe Jenkins.