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.
Among the quartet that have committed to the Top 14 club until 2029 is France No8 Gregory Alldritt, who sat out last Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations draw with Italy through injury.
France's new captain reveals the values and influences that shaped his winning mentality.
The Stormers recorded their first Champions Cup win of the season, beating Stade Rochelais in Cape Town on Saturday.
La Rochelle winger Dillyn Leyds has opened up on what has given the back-to-back European champions the edge in the last few seasons, citing man management as a crucially important factor.
Could the extra demands of the Top 14 be hindering the efforts of French sides in the Champions Cup?
Leinster and La Rochelle have named their teams for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final in Dublin, the Irish province making two changes from their semi-final win over Toulouse and the defending champions two as well after their victory over Exeter.
Toulon loose forward Charles Ollivon leads a 42-man France team chosen on Monday by coach Fabien Galthie for two Tests against Japan next month.