Pumas prop Sclavi takes La Rochelle, ‘not beautiful’ into Champions Cup last 16.
Donnacha Ryan, La Rochelle forwards coach said his team’s 7-3 win over Ulster on Saturday was not pretty as the holders secured their place in last 16 Champions Cup.
After Nathan Doak had kicked the visitors’ points, Argentina prop Joel Sclavi was forced to give up in the 81st minutes in torrential rain off the Atlantic coast.
Ryan, an Irishman said that the “it wasn’t pretty” was a phrase he used to describe it to BT Sport.
“The last 3 minutes, there was incredible character from the boys. A massive sense of belief, and we’re happy we won in end,” he said.
Sale will be held next weekend by the Irish side. Both teams must win to move on from the pool stages.
Both teams were at 0-0 at the break. La Rochelle’s fly-half Antoine Hastoy missed shots at goal, while away scrum-half Doak failed to score. Winger Rob Lyttle made a 36-minute effort that was denied by the TV match official.
Doak opened the scoring in spite of the heavy downpour. With 25 minutes remaining, the 1999 champions prevailed on the way towards a possible surprise victory against La Rochelle. La Rochelle last lost at home in this competition in November 2019.
France No. 8 Gregory Alldritt succumbed to the same fate as Lyttle. Lyttle was leaving the field with just 11 minutes remaining. The French team, coached Ryan’s former Ireland international, Ronan O’Gara went on the search for the winning try and turned down the chance of a draw or a penalty.
They were rewarded for their efforts on 81 minutes when Sclavi opened his account from a pick-and-go from short range to claim a spot at April’s knockouts with one game left.
– Meafou, France –
Earlier, Emmanuel Meafou (Australian-born lock) stated that he hoped he would be named in France’s Six Nations squad. This was after scoring to help Toulouse defeat Sale 27-5 to take their place in last 16.
France’s Six Nations team is announced on Tuesday. However, the 2.03m, 140kg third-row cannot play for his adopted country until he has been granted citizenship. He will, however, be able to play in the third round against Scotland on February 26.
Meafou stated to BT Sport that “our boys fought hard and it’s great to win here.”
He said, “Every week, I try to go and play my best and if there is an international call up then hopefully I will be ready for it. I’m just focusing now on playing well for Toulouse.”
Four-time champions Leinster also made it to the knock-out stages, beating Gloucester 49-14. Durban Sharks was also there as they became South Africa’s first side to make it to the Champions Cup next round. They beat Bordeaux-Begles 33-2.
Following Clermont’s defeat 44-29, Toulouse, Leinster Sharks and La Rochelle, Leicester Tigers advanced to the next stage.
The Saracens will be without Owen Farrell, England captain, for the first of their four games. He was banned from playing high-tackling as they welcome Lyon.
Racing 92, the three-time runner up, will play Harlequins, English champions, on Sunday.
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