| 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-point 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 kind with three defeats of their previous 5 matches however they took management of the opening sport of their title defence from the opening levels.
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 by means of 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 bought worse earlier than it bought higher for the Premiership aspect 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.
Maybe the hosts took their foot off the accelerator with the factors within the bag, however Saints might be happy 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 informed as they pushed ahead.
Ramm ran in virtually unopposed on the wing earlier than Proctor ran a great line again towards the visitors to dot down below the posts.
‘It was 40 minutes late’ – what they mentioned
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson informed BT Sport: “Within the first half, to concede 32 factors and never reply was disappointing. At this degree you get punished. I assumed we fought exhausting within the second half and I used to be happy with the scrum. We’ve got one possibility and that’s to get higher and to verify we study 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, nevertheless 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-Younger, 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
