A duel between the two best nines on planet rugby is a mouth-watering aspect of the likely Six Nations title decider between Ireland and France.
When the full-time whistle sounded at Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle fans groaned as many of their rugby heroes fell to the ground.
La Rochelle have gone for an aggressive 7-1 split on the bench for their Champions Cup showdown with Leinster, though they will be without their towering Wallaby lock Will Skelton.
La Rochelle player ratings: La Rochelle demonstrated why they are two-time Champions Cup winners, showing composure and grit in a hard-fought 24-20 away victory.
Ronan O'Gara has laid to rest any concerns that he may rest some of his La Rochelle stars for their opening match of the Investec Champions Cup by naming a formidable outfit to run out at Bath's Rec on Friday.
Lyon have accepted that they are likely to lose Georgia fullback Davit Niniashvili at the end of the season, with La Rochelle emerging as frontrunners to sign the 22-year-old, according to French outlet Midi Olympique.
La Rochelle are lining up a potential double swoop for two rising stars of French rugby, Nolann le Garrec and Leo Barre, in the summer of 2025, according to French outlet l'Equipe.
The Top 14 semi-finals saw both Toulouse and Bordeaux advance to the final after victories against La Rochelle and Stade Francais respectively.
Davit Niniashvili will be a free agent after his contract with Lyon Olympique Universitaire comes to an early end, freeing up the 21-year-old to find a new home...
Leinster player ratings: Leinster claimed some long-awaited knockout revenge on La Rochelle in a match that promised much but ultimately ended up a one-sided spectacle