On Saturday at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle faced Clermont in what turned out to be not only a closely contested Top 14 match but also one rife with controversy and potential backlash. The final score read 20-15, but the actions and decisions made on the pitch will likely fuel discussion long after the final whistle.
A particularly contentious moment came early on when La Rochelle's Teddy Thomas received a yellow card for what was regarded as a dangerous tackle on Clermont’s Théo Giral. The collision sparked outrage, especially as many felt it warranted a harsher penalty. Referee Pierre Brousset's decision to issue only a yellow card instead of the anticipated red raised eyebrows, and journalists and fans alike are still questioning whether enough is being done to protect players today. Brousset explained his reasoning after the match, stating Thomas was attempting to contest the ball and was considered the second tackler, but many supporters—especially those from Clermont—found this justification unsatisfactory.
Reflecting on the players' performances, La Rochelle started strong. Teddy Thomas's skill shone through as he scored the first try of the match just after the 18th minute, showcasing remarkable speed and power. Not to be outdone, Ultan Dillane scored his first try for La Rochelle shortly before halftime, putting the team at a comfortable lead of 17-3.
Yet, the second half saw La Rochelle struggle to maintain control of the game as they fell victim to their own indiscipline, accruing 13 penalties throughout the match. Clermont capitalized on this, coming dangerously close to equalizing thanks to tries from Alivereti Raka and another directly from a penalty after persistent pressure. The final minutes were tense, with La Rochelle barely holding on, but they managed to earn themselves the victory and maintain their upper hand at home, marking Clermont’s eighth consecutive loss at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
Despite the match's intense nature, it was more than just the players making headlines. A noteworthy moment came just before the second half commenced when the two head coaches, Ronan O'Gara of La Rochelle and Christophe Urios of Clermont, shared an unexpected handshake. This interaction was particularly surprising due to their notorious history of animosity, dating back several years to altercations on the sideline.
O'Gara recounted after the match how it felt good to finally bridge the gap: "I haven’t spoken to Christophe for about five years; I thought it was time to be civil. The match was competitive, but it’s nice to see we can shake hands now." His gesture signaled perhaps the beginning of mending fences between the two coaches.
Urios, who has been known for his fiery temper and conflicts with fellow coaches, acknowledged the moment as meaningful, even praising O'Gara for bringing some beers to their locker room after the game. "That was pretty nice of him; it’s all part of the rugby spirit. Of course, the players enjoyed the atmosphere as well," said Urios with some humor.
This match also saw La Rochelle’s captain Grégory Alldritt performing astonishingly well, not only leading his team through the struggle but also executing 15 successful tackles. His tenacity and presence on the pitch contributed significantly to the win against Clermont, even as his team faced criticism for their turnover rate; losing possession 16 times.
Both teams will look to address their flaws as they progress through the Top 14 season. La Rochelle aims to build on this victory, recognizing the need to tighten their game, particularly concerning discipline, as they won’t always have the luxury of home-ground advantage. Meanwhile, Clermont seeks to break their streak of misfortune at La Rochelle and improve their standing as they prepare for their future outings.
With palpable tension and occasional flashes of camaraderie evident both on and off the pitch, the rugby community eagerly watches how this season will shape the narrative between these two storied clubs as they continue to battle it out under the spotlight of Top 14 rugby.
