Ronan O'Gara and La Rochelle tighten grip on Top 14 play-off berth

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle gave themselves every chance of qualifying for the Top 14 play-offs with a bonus-point five-try 38-15 win over struggling Perpignan at Stade Marcel Deflandre.
But their fifth victory in a row, ensuring they head into the final round of the regular season in sixth place – came at a price.
Captain Gregory Alldritt and fellow backrow Patrick Sobela are early doubts for next weekend's trip to Pau after picking up knee injuries, the former in a clash with international team-mate Posolo Tuilagi.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow scored at either end of the first half to record his fifth – and, most likely, final – brace for La Rochelle on what could be his final appearance in front of the Marcel Deflandre stands.
Both he and fullback Brice Dulin, who retires at the end of the season, received a standing ovation when they left the pitch together five minutes from time.
The Rochelais could claim fourth place, and a home barrage, if they win at Pau next week, and both Bayonne and Castres lose.
But the hosts' indiscipline meant Perpignan were able to stay in touch in the first half, thanks to the boot of Tomasso Allan, who slotted four of five penalties before the break, and another almost immediately after the restart.
That would be the last time they troubled the scoreboard as La Rochelle kicked on, scoring through Pierre Bourgarit, Thierry Paiva and Dillyn Leyds in the final half hour to settle the game – and just about see the 105-day winless streak earlier this year disappear in the rearview mirror.
'We're a great group of guys,' coach Donnacha Ryan told journalists afterwards, acknowledging the side's dismal run earlier in the season. 'The key for the staff was to stay honest, to always give the guys a clear message, to reinforce their level of quality, too.
'There were a lot of very honest discussions, particularly about the quality of our sessions. We tested ourselves and, fortunately, we were able to turn the page.'
Pau could finish level on points with La Rochelle, if they pick up a bonus-point win at home next Saturday. This week, centre Emilien Gailleton scored twice as Sebastien Picqueronies' side all-but condemned Vannes to the ProD2 next season, scoring seven tries to their hosts' four in a 26-52 win at Stade de la Rabine.
Those two results were a major relief for Stade Francais, who had earlier collapsed almost quickly enough to form a black hole at Clermont. Paul Gustard's side led 6-17 at halftime, and what would have been a first-ever Top 14 win at Stade Marcel Michelin seemed possible, even plausible. It was 20-20 just after the hour, so they were still very much in the reckoning. And it finished 55-20.
For Clermont, the apparently not entirely evergreen Benjamin Urdapilleta – in his final match in front of the home fans before he retires, overtook Brock James to become the leading points-scorer in the Top 14. His 15 points off the tee took him to 2,499, eight ahead of the ex-Clermont and La Rochelle star.
Those results mean no positional or league points changes for the bottom three. But the Breton side, in particular, now need an unlikely win at Bordeaux next weekend, and for other results to go their way. Perpignan, four points ahead in 13th, host Toulouse at Stade Aime Giral, while 12th-placed Stade Francais have a precious one-point cushion over the Catalans as they prepare to entertain play-off–chasing Castres.
For the first time since they returned to the Top 14 in 2009, Racing 92 – first-ever winners of the Bouclier de Brennus, back in 1892 – will not feature in the post-season play-offs.
Their chances were slim at the start of their match against Montpellier at La Defense Arena. Their 25-27 defeat – settled by a 79th-minute Anthony Bouthier penalty – shut the door on any hopes entirely.
One-club player Henry Chavancy, in his final home match for Racing, had opened the scoring with a well-taken try in the second minute. But, despite Montpellier captain Billy Vunipola seeing red for a croc-roll just before halftime, the hosts were unable to make their numerical advantage count.
Fifth-placed Castres closed the gap on Bayonne, in fourth, to a single point, with a 33-3 bonus-point win over the Basque side at Stade Pierre Fabre.
Leaders Toulouse – already certain of a pass to the semi-finals – host Lyon at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday in a match moved from Saturday night to avoid clashing with the Champions League final in Munich; while third-place Toulon have second place in their sights when they host newly crowned Champions Cup winners Bordeaux – without most of their Cardiff heroes.