PARIS:
Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle suffered a uncommon dwelling defeat on Saturday shedding 44-24 to Lyon within the French High 14 after an emotional week following Uini Atonio’s retirement.
La Rochelle conceded 5 tries as they have been overwhelmed at Stade Marcel Deflandre for only a third time this season, leaving them in tenth place within the desk and 6 factors from the play-offs.
Lyon keep in twelfth spot due to an explosive first half in emotionally charged scenes on the Atlantic coast.
“We began the sport too late to have a hope of successful,” O’Gara instructed reporters.
“We’re removed from the highest six now. We’ve got to just accept the place we’re. That is why it damage right now.
“Am I excellent? Removed from it, did I’ve a poor recreation? I believe so.”
Former Eire fly-half O’Gara was dropped at tears on Friday in his pre-match press convention attributable to Atonio’s announcement and that ambiance continued to the sport.
After simply three minutes, the sold-out crowd of 18,000 rose to their toes to pay tribute to extremely common former France prop Atonio who was compelled to finish his profession on Wednesday after a coronary heart assault.
It obtained the higher of the hosts who trailed 31-7 on the break.
By the hour mark La Rochelle have been again within the recreation and there have been simply seven factors between the perimeters as former England winger Jack Nowell crossed to make it 31-24.
Nevertheless, Martin Meliande slotted two penalties and Fiji winger Jiuta Wainiqolo strolled over within the remaining 16 minutes to safe Lyon’s first win since January 3.
Elsewhere, on a weekend with out 28 France squad members who’re absent as they put together for Thursday’s Six Nations opener towards Eire, Scottish duo Ali Value and Stuart Hogg crossed as Montpellier hammered Stade Francais 44-7.
Eire fly-half Joey Carbery kicked 11 factors as Bordeaux-Begles received 31-16 at lowly Montauban because the Champions Cup winners moved as much as third regardless of axed France winger Damian Penaud struggling a head damage.
Carbery, 30, is ineligible to characteristic for his nation as he performs his membership rugby overseas, however he has been closely linked with a return again to Eire for subsequent season.
League leaders Toulouse, lacking 12 gamers together with Antoine Dupont attributable to their Six Nations commitments, stretched their benefit on the summit to 11 factors by thumping Bayonne 31-10.
On Sunday second-placed Pau welcome Toulon in sixth with simply 4 factors between the groups.
