ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Monday May 30, 2022

Absolute Scenes In La Rochelle

La Rochelle completed a comeback of epic proportions in Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Top14 side trailed Irish giants Leinster with two minutes left on the clock. Having been camped on Leinster’s line for the best part of ten minutes it appeared as though the blue wall would not be broken as La Rochelle were repelled time and again.

As the clock wound down it appeared as though Ronan O’Gara’s side would fall to his greatest rivals having in heart breaking fashion.

Having come oh so close last season having beaten Leinster in the semi-finals only to fall to Toulouse in the final, there would be no disappointing end for men in black and yellow.

As if a dam wall had suddenly burst, Arthur Retiere extended his arm like the go-go-gadget man to bash the ball down and with it seal a historic victory.

Having only been in the topflight of French rugby in 2014, where La Rochelle have come from in such a short space of time is incredible, almost mirroring that of former champions Exeter Chiefs.

In a similar vein to the Chiefs, La Rochelle are a costal town ever so slightly off the beaten path geographically from their closest competitors. This combined with Ronan O’Gara’s Munster us against the world approach has created a potent beast.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking of O’Gara it has taken more than just bitterness and a rousing team speech to get his side from almost rans to European champions.

The former flyhalf has shown his tactical astuteness has carried over from his playing days to the coaching box. However, what appears to be his biggest strength is his player first mentality, it is clear his side plays for him.

Having quite literally travelled the globe in pursuit of coaching knowledge, O’Gara has combined the very best of Munster grit with Crusaders ruthlessness and French flair from his time at Racing92.

As the city of La Rochelle celebrate their greatest moment, could there be a more in demand coach than ROG?

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 69 WEEKS AGO

    Shane Horgan Blasts Leinster Performance

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Sexton vs O'Gara Champions Cup

  • 72 WEEKS AGO

    Etzabeth Takes On London Irish



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok fans given a scare as Kolbe takes back-breaking hit

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Brian O'Driscoll unburdens himself with huge confession in classic Guinness advert

View All

Amateur

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 9 HOURS AGO

    Vakatawa signs for English Premiership side in sensational return to rugby

  • 15 HOURS AGO

    Exclusive: 'The Aussie DNA is missing' - David Campese reflects on Wallaby exit and ponders the future of Aussie rugby

  • 18 HOURS AGO

    France give confirmation of Dupont return thanks to superhuman recovery

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Namibia captain’s World Cup over as he receives hefty ban following Dupont hit

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Kyle Sinckler surprises everyone with World Cup injury admission

View All