Dillane claims first Top 14 try as Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle hold off Clermont
Dillane Gift: Rochelle's ultan Elliott Pic: Christmas La Inpho/nick
Ultan Dillane scored his first try in his 61st match for Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle, as they held off a second-half Clermont fightback to win 20-15 and record a first win in three Top 14 matches, dating back to the beginning of November.
A single positive result on their return to domestic action means it is too early to suggest a successful Champions Cup break – the two-time champions beat Premiership rivals Bath and Bristol in their December outings to set up an intriguing battle of the unbeaten Pool 2 sides against Leinster in south-west France on January 7 – has changed La Rochelle’s stars this season.
Certainly their second-half ill-discipline, when both Thomas Berjon and Teddy Thomas were sent to cool down, threatened to cost them as they threatened to give up a 17-3 half-time lead. Some stout defence, and Clermont’s clumsiness in the red zone conspired in La Rochelle’s favour.
Both sides spent 30 minutes with just 14 on the pitch, and referee Pierre Brousset felt it necessary to talk to O’Gara on the sideline early in the second-half, after the Rochelais had conceded a contentious penalty try that kicked off the visitors’ fightback.
Earlier, Teddy Thomas had rounded off a sublime attacking move to get the scoreboard moving with his sixth try in six matches as, nominally, an outside centre, before Clermont’s maul defence unaccountably melted away to give a – no doubt – surprised but delighted Dillane a short jog to the line shortly before the break.
It could have been very different. Benjamin Urdapilleta missed a conversion and a penalty, and increasingly ascendant Clermont’s pack mauled their way over La Rochelle’s line late on – but Mr Brousset ruled the ball held up.
Toulon made it six wins in as many matches in all competitions with a seven-try 56-25 demolition of Pau. And it was a day for try firsts: After Dillane had scored his first for La Rochelle, Kyle Sinckler wrapped up Toulon’s scoring in the 73rd minute with his first for the Var side.
Billy Vunipola, too, broke his try duck as Montpellier heaped more pressure on Racing 92’s under-fire manager Stuart Lancaster, holding off a late fightback from the Francilien visitors to win 21-17.
Vannes’ troubles, too, worsened, as they lost 21-27 at home against Bayonne.
Stade Francais, on the other hand, eased their Top 14 worries with a 24-7 win over Perpignan at Stade Jean Bouin.
Three missed penalties, a drop goal attempt fired wide and a litany of lineout and handling errors cost Jeremy Davidson’s Castres dearly, as they lost 3-13 at home in a scrappy encounter against Bordeaux, who climbed – provisionally – to the top of the table, pending the result of Sunday’s match.
Under-new-management Lyon – with ex-Stade Francais head coach Karim Ghezal at the helm – will look to end a five-match losing streak and move out of the relegation zone. In their way, top-of-the-table Toulouse, who have rung a few changes – Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos are both absent – but will still field a formidable side.