On February 22, 2025, Racing 92 finally broke their losing streak with a hard-fought 26-21 victory over La Rochelle at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre. This win marked their first success since November 2024, lifting them slightly out of relegation danger. The match served as a pivotal moment for both teams: Racing aiming for survival and La Rochelle desperate to return to form.
Under the guidance of newly appointed coach Patrice Collazo, Racing displayed impressive discipline throughout the match, banking heavily on the indiscipline shown by their opponents. The early stages set the tone, as Tristan Tedder opened the scoring with a penalty before Manyarara dashed over for the first try just 12 minutes in. His try came after good phase play, showcasing Racing's composure under pressure.
Despite the pressure, Racing maintained their game plan, restricting La Rochelle's advance and exploiting their errors. The home side, struggling to find their rhythm, managed to respond shortly after the break with Antoine Hastoy scoring, igniting hopes of a comeback. His try, combined with two penalties from P. Bourgarit, allowed La Rochelle to briefly take the lead.
Yet, Racing was not to be denied. They quickly countered this momentum; Woki's try gave them the advantage back, and Tedder's precision with both boot and hand offered them precious points. With penalties and well-executed phase plays, Racing controlled much of the match's final stages, only briefly shaken when La Rochelle's Bourgarit scored late on.
After the match, Tedder reflected on the win, stating, "We are happy, but we are not world champions. The season isn't over, and I know what it means to fight for survival." His words stressed the importance of the victory yet kept the focus on the work still required to secure their place.
On the other side, Ronan O'Gara, La Rochelle’s coach, expressed deep frustration over the team’s performance, stating, "It’s a crisis; it’s shameful and unacceptable to play like this. I am aware of our level, and I am the first responsible; I must give more direction and confidence to this group." His critique reflects the growing anxiety as La Rochelle suffers its fifth consecutive defeat.
Collazo, returning to venues where he once coached, added, "When I was the coach here, I never liked playing against Racing; it’s always been complicated." His acknowledgment of the past shows his focus on the present turnaround achieved at Racing 92.
The match did not just showcase the contrasting fortunes of both teams but highlighted Racing’s re-emerging form under new leadership, bringing much-needed points for their campaign. On the contrary, La Rochelle now faces rising doubts, having failed to regain momentum as the playoffs loom closer.
With this victory, Racing has climbed to 11th place with 31 points, inching away from the bottom, which is now occupied by Stade Français. Meanwhile, La Rochelle’s path back to the top six grows increasingly perilous as they now must address their technical errors if they wish to compete again this season.
Racing 92's supporters can breathe slightly easier, but with many matches still to play, both teams must adapt to their changing circumstances if they hope to achieve their respective season goals. The road forward is certainly filled with challenges for both sides as they prepare for their next league matchups.