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La Rochelle's 4 biggest new season signing
La Rochelle return to the Challenge Cup in 2018/19 after an impressive maiden European Rugby Champions Cup campaign last season, when they topped Pool 1 before losing 30-19 to Scarlets in the quarter-finals.
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Here are four of their four biggest close season signing according to the ECPR.
Lopeti Timani
Height 6’4
Weight 124kg
Age 27
The Australia back-row forward joins La Rochelle after spells at Super Rugby’s Waratahs and, most recently, the Rebels.
The 27-year-old, who has won 12 caps, is the brother of former Australia lock Sitaleki Timani. He currently plays for ASM Clermont Auvergne.
Ihaia West
Height 5’9
Weight 84kg
Age 26
The 26-year-old fly-half spent last season at Super Rugby side Hurricanes, having completed four years at Auckland-based Blues.
West will be well known to fans of the British and Irish Lions, having scored the match-winning try and conversion for Blues at Eden Park in their first match of the 2017 tour.
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Marc Andreu
Height 5’6
Weight 75kg
Age 32
The 32-year-old wing has moved to La Rochelle after five seasons with Champions Cup finalists Racing 92 and previous stints at RC Toulon and Castres Olympique.
Andreu has an excellent record in European rugby, having scored 11 tries in 38 matches, including a spectacular effort against ASM Clermont Auvergne in last year’s Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Sila Puafisi
Height 6’1
Weight 122kg
Age 30
The Tonga prop comes to La Rochelle after a spell at Brive, who were relegated from the TOP 14 last season.
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The 30-year-old has played in the English Premiership for Gloucester Rugby and, more recently, in the PRO14 with Glasgow Warriors, featuring in three European quarter-finals, with the most recent coming in 2017 in a 38-13 Champions Cup defeat to eventual winners Saracens.
Source: www.epcrugby.com
