Delight for O’Gara as La Rochelle stride home

RONAN O’Gara’s smile was as wide as the nearby Bay of Biscay as the Irishman contemplated leading his La Rochelle team into Champions Cup semi-final action after they swept aside French rivals Montpellier.

The enthusiastic home crowd were in full, triumphant voice at the end of a pulsating contest between these two Top 14 rivals where New Zealand veteran Victor Vito produced an inspirational try-scoring performance. Another Kiwi, fly-half Ihaia West was also impressive, controlling and commanding his side as they marched to victory.

Former Ireland and Lions star O’Gara’s side will face either Racing 92 or Sale Sharks in the last four with those two teams doing battle today.

Dany Priso finished off a flowing La Rochelle move to give the hosts an excellent start. Slick handling saw the hosts slice their way down the left wing before flanker Vito fed the ball inside to Priso, and the prop powered his way across the line. West added the extras before sending over three more points when the visitors were penalised at a scrum.

The home side were dominating and showed their classagain when they stole a Montpelier lineout and worked the ball along with outstanding accuracy and flair. Levani Botia and Jules Favre combined to give Vito the chance to gallop home. Again West showed his accuracy by converting from near the touchline, and Montpellier’s task was considerably more difficult.

Montpellier gained a foothold in the contest when former Bath and Sale prop Henry Thomas burrowed his way over for a try from close range.

Louis Foursans converted and he was doing so again two minutes into the second half when Montpellier’s fightback grew some wings with centre Yvan Rheilac powering his way across for a try.

The hosts struck back with Botia shrugging off Gabriel N’gandebe’s tackle to force his way over the line. An entertaining contest then had former Bath forward Zach Mercer crashing over in a corner to lift Montpellier spirits again.

La Rochelle’s lead was down to a mere three points but just when the visitors needed to keep cool heads and maintain their momentum, they lost their discipline and made crucial errors, allowing La Rochelle’s forwards to take command and force them into giving the outstanding West the chance to kick them to defeat. He nailed three successive penalties for ruck offences as Montpellier ran out of steam.