| La Rochelle (32) 46 |
| Tries: Dulin, Bourgarit, Boudehent, Leyds, Alldritt, Seuteni Pens: Hastoy 2 Cons: Hastoy 5 |
| Northampton (0) 12 |
| Tries: Ramm, Proctor Con: Smith |
Holders La Rochelle started their Heineken Champions Cup defence with a thumping 46-12 bonus-level win over Northampton Saints.
The hosts have been dominant and wrapped up the bonus within the first half after tries by Brice Dulin, Pierre Bourgarit, Pierre Boudehent and Dillyn Leyds.
Gregory Alldritt charged down a clearance to attain a fifth strive earlier than Ulupano Seuteni added a sixth.
Saints improved late on as James Ramm and Matt Proctor scored consolations.
La Rochelle have been in detached type with three defeats of their previous 5 matches however they took management of the opening recreation of their title defence from the opening phases.
Dulin went over within the nook within the third minute earlier than Bougarit broke off a rolling maul to stretch their lead.
Boudehent ran in unopposed after the hosts rolled via the phases and Leyds’ composed end ensured the bonus level on the stroke of the interval.
Saints had no reply to the onslaught and it obtained worse earlier than it obtained higher for the Premiership facet as Alldritt’s large body prevented the clearance and gathered the free ball for the fifth, whereas Seuteni produced neat footwork to evade a few defenders and rating the sixth.
Perhaps the hosts took their foot off the accelerator with the factors within the bag, however Saints will be pleased with their fightback to attain two late tries.
The guests welcomed again England ahead Courtney Lawes for the primary time in two months off the bench and his expertise instructed as they pushed ahead.
Ramm ran in virtually unopposed on the wing earlier than Proctor ran line again in opposition to the site visitors to dot down beneath the posts.
‘It was 40 minutes late’ – what they mentioned
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson instructed BT Sport: “In the primary half, to concede 32 factors and never reply was disappointing. At this stage you get punished. I assumed we fought onerous within the second half and I used to be happy with the scrum. We have one possibility and that’s to get higher and to ensure we be taught the teachings.
“It was 14-12 within the second half and one in all their tries was a cost down, and the opposite we handed to them, however it was 40 minutes late.”
Line-ups
Northampton Saints: Furbank; Ramm, Proctor, Dingwall, Freeman; Smith, James; Waller, Smith, Hill, Salakaia-Loto, Ribbans, Coles, Hinkley, Ludlam (c).
Replacements: Matavesi, Iyogun, Painter, Lawes, Scott-Young, Augustus, Mitchell, Hutchinson.
La Rochelle: Dulin: Leyds, Seuteni, Danty, Boudehent; Hastoy, Kerr-Barlow; Wardi, Bourgarit, Atonio, Lavault, Skelton, Bourdeau, Tanga, Alldritt.
Replacements: Lespiaucq, Aouf, Sclavi, Sazy, Boudehent, Berjon, Botia, Alonso
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