PAUL FAITH / AFP
The Maritimes, double reigning European champions, were corrected this Saturday by the Irish Leinster (40-13), who took their revenge in the quarter-finals.
Stade Rochelais on the ground. Double reigning European champions, the Maritimes were severely beaten this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin by Leinster (40-13) in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup. Dominated by the speed and precision of the Irish province, the Rochelais conceded five tries, including a double from the untenable international James Lowe and a try from the Irish metronome Jamison Gibson-Park. For their part, La Rochelle only had one try, that of young pillar Louis Perverne, scored just before the break.
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An achievement which reflected a little hope for the second half of the Maritimes, but it was nothing of the sort. The Rochelais were unable to do anything against the vivacity and power of the Dubliners who crucified Ronan O’Gara’s players in the second half. After their success this year at Marcel-Deflandre during the group stage, the Irish players scored a first victory against the Jaune et Noir in a playoff match, after losing in the semi-final in 2021 then in the 2022 and 2023 finals. .
La Rochelle dethroned
End of series for the Maritimes who remained on ten victories in a row during elimination matches in the Champions Cup (competition record), their last setback in a decisive match dates back to the final three years ago lost against Toulouse . La Rochelle, totally overwhelmed, fell from (very) high this Saturday in Dublin and will have to remobilize for the end of the season. The Yellow and Black, fifth in the Top 14, travel to Castres next Saturday and will have to raise their heads in the Tarn.
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In the Champions Cup semi-final, Leinster will host, for its part, in the den of Gaelic sports in Croke Park (the Aviva Stadium hosting the Europa League final), the winner of the quarter between the English of Northampton and the South African Bulls. The Leinstermen are now placed as the favorites of the competition with the last French team still in the running, Stade Toulousain.