SOUTH AFRICA WINGER Dillyn Leyds scored a try and set up another but La Rochelle missed out on the chance to move to the summit of the French Top 14 despite Saturday’s 38-23 home win over Lyon, a game in which Darren Sweetnam made his debut as a 60th-minute replacement.
Leyds’ crucial contributions came early in both halves but were insufficient to claim a bonus point to go above Toulouse, with five league matches to play.
The fixture on the Atlantic Coast was one of just three league games to avoid postponement due to Covid-19 fears.
Coach Jono Gibbes, who has reportedly agreed to join Clermont next season, made seven changes from last Saturday’s European Champions Cup success over Sale Sharks.
La Rochelle started at a canter as Leyds crossed for his eighth try of the season after a delicate Brice Dulin chip before Ihaia West added the conversion.
The hosts led 20-6 at the break after West crashed over with the clock in the red.
The outside-half failed to return to the field after the interval after hurting his shoulder in scoring, 15 days away from hosting Leinster in the Champions Cup semi final.
Leyds became the provider five minutes into the second half as his one-handed slap-pass set up centre Geoffrey Doumayrou.
On the hour mark, Sweetnam came on for his La Rochelle debut after signing as injury cover two weeks ago.
Fiji winger Josua Tuisova scored his 50th and 51st league tries for the away side to deny La Rochelle the bonus point, which would have moved them top.
It is unlikely O’Gara’s side will have a game next weekend ahead of facing Leinster, joint-record four-time European champions.
Brive, who La Rochelle are scheduled to play on Saturday, recorded numerous Covid-19 cases last week.
Earlier, Toulouse full-back Matthis Lebel might have scored a contender for try of the season, but it was not enough as Castres held their nerve to claim a 26-24 derby scalp.
France U20s back Lebel and Zack Holmes were the only two in Toulouse’s starting lineup to have played the leaders’ Champions Cup quarter-final victory last weekend at Clermont.
Of the matchday squad involved in the win in the Auvergne, 13 didn’t even make the trip for the derby in southwest France, with the likes of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe rested.
Despite their game being called off, winless Agen were relegated from the Top 14 on Friday after second-bottom Pau defeated fellow strugglers Bayonne 43-33.
With just six games left of the regular season eight-time champions Agen have lost all 20 league games this season, cannot make up the gap.
We need a 10 who wont be involved with Ireland so it’s a good signing, he won’t shunt Madigan and covers if Madigan is away
Great signing. He’s a perfect foil for Madigan in many ways. Playing style is more about control than Madigan’s gunslinging, he’s a great kicker from hand and tee plus he’ll be the steady hand we need at 10 when Madser is called up to the Irish squad next year.
Hopefully we’ve a big Aussie outside back signing on the way too…
Who’s that?
Madigan just can’t catch a break
Jimmy Cowen gave him some shot in that video
Should we not wait and see how he performs?
Where’s the fun in that….? ;-)
He is average at best. Seen him play quite a bit when he played with the Hurricanes. Doesn’t have the bottle for top level rugby.
What a load of utter crap. Jimmy was actually just starting to play his best rugby before he left. He is like the other 10 that left by the name of Nick a sorry loss to our fair shores. You sir have no class
Thy need to spend money to shore up 4 & 5 – not another 10……
Well they signed McCarthy from Connacht and Ben Marshall looks like a promising young prospect in their academy.
Fair point – McCarthy decent operator & haven’t seen the other guy in action, but its when we have a Hines, Elsom or Thorn that things start to happen …. great if we can grow our own of that capability.
Hmm. I wouldn’t b as positive about this guy… Id put him in a similar bracket as steenson but he’s Irish. I guess the financial reasons had a hand in this signing…
lol, why all the red thumbs??? Did i offend the poor Leinster new guy?? Hope Im wrong but cant see this guy being any more than an average Rabo player……
He’s perfect, as he won’t stunt Madigan but can step in when needed.
I for one don’t want Leinster signing players who get in the way of home grown players but players who can do a squad job when the irfu get in the way
Steenson is Irish. Look him up.
ERM….I know, I said that….
No but he’s taking a NIQ place. My point is Steenson wouldn’t have and at 28, is unlikely to feature in green….
Np ;-)
Cain I have the greatest admiration for Munster Rugby and always hope they do well unless they are playing Leinster.
Cian sorry the auto correct got the better of me.
Every province needs stand-in players when Ireland duties call. Leinster have been fortunate in the likes of Contepomi and Nacewa and hopefully this new recruit will make his own impact. The Rabo is not a second rate completion as Munster is finding out. Hopefully they will make the top four? It’s no longer a given.
Should read competition
I don’t think we will 2 b honest…. All our eggs are in the Heineken Cup basket I think….