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La Rochelle gets comfortable in Chaban-Delmas

Stade Rochelais is at home in Bordeaux.

Already a winner on the wire in the league last week (16-15), he did it again on the continental scene, still at the Chaban-Delmas stadium but in the greatest widths this time (31-13).

The joy of the Rochelais after the first try scored by South African winger Raymond Rhule against Bordeaux-Bègles, during the round of 16 first leg of the European Cup, on April 9, 2022 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas Thibaud MORITZ AFP

"We were beaten by better than us. We were not up to it physically, congratulations to La Rochelle", recognized, handsome player, Girondin coach Christophe Urios, deprived of a reunion with his counterpart Ronan O'Gara , suspended.

The Maritimes confirm the psychological advantage taken over their rival on the Atlantic coast, which they have now beaten for the fifth time in a row.

With an 18-point lead going into the second leg at Deflandre, it would take a miracle to deprive last season's unfortunate finalists of the quarter-finals.

With internationals in great shape – Pierre Bourgarit man of the match, Jonathan Danty author of a test, Grégory Alldritt faithful to himself – La Rochelle can even see further.

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Racing confirms

Racing 92 also has a foot in the quarters after its victory on the ground of the French Stadium (22-9) in the second part of the three games disputed by the neighbors of the Ile-de-France in the space of three weeks.

The Hauts-de-Seine club did not repeat last weekend's attacking festival in the Top 14 in its Arena (53-20), but the superiority once again displayed gives its advantage of 13 points the air of cozy mattress for the European return match.

The young scrum half Nolan Le Garrec was able to punish the indiscipline of the Parisians against the poles, who saw their former player Gaël Fickou register the only try of the game.

The center of Racing 92 Gaël Fickou tries to escape the tackle of the opening half of the French Stadium Léo Barré, during the 8th of the final first leg of the European Cup, on April 9, 2022 at the Stade Jean Bouin FRANCK FIFE AFP

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Toulouse sees red

The red card inflicted in the 11th minute on Argentinian winger Juan Cruz Mallia cost Toulouse dearly against the Irish of Ulster.

Ulster winger Ben Moxham is mown in the air by his Argentinian counterpart from Toulouse, Juan Cruz Mallia, who will be excluded for this action, during the round of 16 first leg of the European Cup, on April 9, 2022 at Stadium Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

While he had started his match perfectly in a sold-out Stadium, the defending champion fell at home (26-20) and will be forced to win next week in Belfast.

The Toulousains have long shown at fourteen against fifteen a huge defensive commitment, but the Irish winger Robert Baloucoune, author of a hat-trick, hurt them.

Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune lines up to score one of his three tries against Toulouse, in the round of 16 first leg of the European Cup, on April 9, 2022 at the Stadium Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

A great burst of pride in the last minutes, rewarded by a try from Romain Ntamack, reduced Toulouse's deficit to 6 points.

Something to maintain hope.

"We know that the goal average is important and this last try does us good in terms of accounting and in terms of our state of mind", commented scrum half and captain Antoine Dupont.

"We didn't give up and we can be proud of what we've done. In terms of the volume of play, it's one of our best matches of the season".

The Toulouse opening half Romain Ntamack escapes the defenders of Ulster, during the round of 16 first leg of the European Cup, on April 9, 2022 at the Stadium Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

Two other French clubs will be in contention on Sunday against the English.

Montpellier, leader of the Top 14, will host Harlequins (2:00 p.m.), reigning English champions, while Clermont will host Leicester (4:15 p.m.).

© 2022 AFP