La Rochelle player ratings vs Leinster | Investec Champions Cup

When the full-time whistle sounded at Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle fans groaned as many of their rugby heroes fell to the ground both exhausted and disappointed. In a heavyweight bout against Leinster, La Rochelle had gone down swinging 16-14.

All Black Jordie Barrett was brilliant for the visitors as they built up their advantage throughout the second half, but that doesn’t mean the match wasn’t in the balance, it was actually there for the taking.

Flyhalf Antoine Hastoy missed a last-minute penalty goal and later a drop goal attempt as La Rochelle fell in a crunch Champions Cup clash. It wasn’t a bad performance by any means – it was a war between two great teams, and one was slightly better on the night.

La Rochelle ratings vs Leinster.

1. Reda Wardi – 6.5/10

France international Reda Wardi left the field with mere seconds to play in the first half, and you could tell by the reaction around the ground that this was seen as a big blow. La Rochelle had already lost Uini Atonio, but Wardi had also stood tall as the form front rower for the hosts up until that point. Wardi contributed to a steady set-piece and also made his mark with some noticeable involvements in both attack and defence – six carries and four tackles.

2. Quentin Lespiaucq – 8

At the core of Quentin Lespiaucq’s job, the hooker is required to throw accurately at the lineout, and La Rochell’s No. 2 did that against Leinster. Lespiaucq was perfect against some of Ireland’s best lineout threats, with the front rower finding teammates like Oscar Jegou on a consistent basis. The 29-year-old was also ranked among the likes of Gregory Alldritt and Paul Boudehent for tackles made on the night – that’s elite company.

3. Uini Atonio – 5

Uini Atonio started the match with a solid carry inside the opening few minutes but the world-class tighthead prop was kept progressively quiet from there. Atonio completed three tackles and had a few carries before leaving the field late in the first half. The 34-year-old did well to push through the pain after receiving medical attention midway through the opening period.

4. Thomas Lavault – 5

Thomas Lavault was impressive on the defensive side of the ball but wasn’t quite able to replicate those heroics in attack. Lavault could be seen working hard around the breakdown time and time again, and that can often go unnoticed by those in the tight five.

5. Kane Douglas – 4

Former Wallaby Kane Douglas was a bit of a general at the set-piece but was otherwise played out of the match by Leinster. Douglas had one reception at the set-piece, made a handful of stops on the defensive side of the ball, and only carried the ball once. The towering lock from Down Under was replaced about four minutes into the second half.

6. Paul Boudehent – 8

There was no player more threatening throughout the opening 20-30 minutes of this match than La Rochelle flanker Paul Boudehent. Boudehent carried the ball a few times early on, and the backrower was running over Leinster defenders every time – proving supremely difficult to bring down. That consistency was almost frightening. Boudehent was a tad quieter from there but still finished as one of La Rochelle’s leaders for both tackles and carries.

7. Oscar Jegou – 8.5

Backrower Oscar Jegou was a menace at the set-piece. Jegou stole lineouts on Leinster’s throw twice and also proved to be a reliable option when it was La Rochelle’s turn to call the shoots. The openside flanker was just as effective around the park, finishing among the very best on the night for both tackles made and metres carried.

8. Gregory Alldritt – 9

Gregory Alldritt is one of the best rugby players in the world. That’s not exactly a new, bold or hot take but it’s important to repeat these things every once in a while. So, Gregory Alldritt is one of the best rugby players in the world. Alldritt led by example in this Champions Cup tie; ranked among the very elite for both tackles made and carries. The Frenchman’s work rate is to be admired, with the backrower also winning a penalty at the breakdown during the first half.

9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow – 8

2015 Rugby World Cup winner Tawera Kerr-Barlow is an integral member of this La Rochelle side. Kerr-Barlow drives the team around the park with leadership, crisp passing, and a pace of play which is both quick and comfortable. For the most part, the former All Black kicked well throughout the match, and he also registered a charge down in the first half.

10. Antoine Hastoy – 7.5

Flyhalf Antoine Hastoy combined with Tawera Kerr-Barlow quite well, and La Rochelle took it to their European rivals on a cold night. Hastoy had a chance to be the hero with about one minute left to play but, with La Rochelle down two, the playmaker struck the crossbar with a penalty attempt from long range. Hastoy had a drop goal attempt charged down by Josh van der Flier moments later. It was an unfortunate end to the match for Hastoy who had otherwise been reliable back in La Rochelle’s No. 10 jersey.

11. Dillyn Leyds – 7.5

Former Springboks winger Dillyn Leyds was, for the most part, kept fairly absent from the action against a red-hot Leinster outfit. Leyds didn’t really get the ball too much – with right winger Jack Nowell instead having himself a night. But 80 minutes is a long time. Leyd took his one opportunity when it presented itself as he beat Jordie Barrett to a loose ball to score with 10 minutes left to play. Leyds’ only other involvement to note came on the defensive side of the ball, with the speedster doing well to force Barrett into Leinster’s in-goal in the 13^th minute.

12. Jules Favre – 5

Both La Rochelle midfielders failed to fire on Sunday evening. Jules Favre only carried the ball a couple of times without much gain, and while the inside centre was more involved in defence, it still wasn’t anything beyond what was expected in those moments.

13. Ulupano Seuteni – 6

It was a bit of a mixed night for Ulupano Seuteni who delivered some skilful passes but was also forced into making some mistakes by Leinster’s rush defence. Seuteni threw an outstanding offload to Jack Nowell early in the second half which sent the right winger on his way downfield – a moment of magic for sure. But the outside centre was also kept quiet for long periods.

14. Jack Nowell – 8

Jack Nowell was a man on a mission during this match. Nowell was a handful on the right wing with the Englishman constantly leaving Leinster defenders in his dust with some sensational bursts in attack. On the other side of the ball, a brave one-on-one stop on Ireland’s Josh van der Flier during the first term deserves some praise – it was a solid knock from the No. 14.

15. Brice Dulin – 5

Brice Dulin’s most significant contributions both came off the boot, and unfortunately for La Rochelle, these passages of play didn’t result in immediate possession. Dulin misjudged a high ball during the first half and was instead only able to get his foot to it – ultimately resulting in a penalty after Paul Boudehent was caught in an offside position.

The other moment to note was a bit more positive, with Dulin coming within inches of what would’ve been both a clever and crucial 50/22. With Dulin finishing on the podium for turnovers lost on the night, unfortunately, the negatives outweighed his positive involvements tonight.

Substitutes

16. Nika Sutidze – N/A
17. Alexandre Kaddouri – 6.5
18. Georges-Henri Colombe – 7
19. Ultan Dillane – 6.5
20. Levani Botia – 6
21. Judicael Cancoriet – 5
22. Matthias Haddad – 6
23. Hoani Bosmorin – N/A