Presentation of the Stade Rochelais, opponent of the "Rouge & Bleu" for the first round
Promoted in Top 14 in 2014, Stade Rochelais quickly showed its progress, led by Patrice Collazo and Xavier Garbajosa. The Maritimes maintain their high level in the 2014-2015 season and the following season, finishing ninth each time. During the 2016-2017 season, the Rochelais had an exceptional year, finishing first in the regular phase. They were inexperienced at this level and were eliminated in the semi-finals by the RCT at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. They also fail in the Challenge Cup semi-finals (beaten by Gloucester)
Last season was more complicated for the Stade Rochelais: for a long time in the struggle for qualification, they failed in seventh place in the championship. Qualified for the first time in the Champions Cup, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by the Scarlets.
The 2018 off-season marked the end of a cycle at Deflandre: his manager Patrice Collazo left the club. The workforce changed little, with the end of Gregory Lamboley and Jason Eaton's careers and the departure of Brock James. The headliners of the recruitment from La Rochelle are Marc Andreu, Ihaia West and Lopeti Timani. But it is with its former players that the Stade Rochelais wants to shine again: its French internationals Uini Atonio, Vincent Pelo, Dany Priso or Kevin Gourdon.
The star player
Victor Vito, 33 caps with New Zealand, two-time world champions, is the new captain of this team. The 31-year-old was voted best player of the 2016-2017 season, his first year in the Top 14. Indispensable on the pitch (55 matches already in two seasons in Charente-Maritime), he is also indispensable outside, as his recent appointment as captain of the Stade Rochelais testifies.
The ex
We could have mentioned Pierre Aguillon, we chose to focus on Thomas Jolmes. The second row, who went through the Academy of the Club, will face the FCG for the first time in his career. He arrived last season on the Atlantic coast and has played ten games in "Yellow & Black", despite an injury that kept him away from the field for a long time. With the retirements of Jason Eaton and Gregory Lamboley, he has a real card to play this season to confirm the talent seen at the Stade des Alpes.
The last match between the 2 teams
During the 2016-2017 season, the FCG lost heavily on January 1st with a score of 40 to 3. The Rochelais had scored 4 tries (penalty try, Botia, Lacroix and Gourdon).
The last games
Stade Rochelais played two friendly matches this summer at Stade Marcel Deflandre. He won against Stade Français (28-26) and against SU Agen (18-17)
Upcoming matches
After the FCG reception, the Stade Rochelais will travel to Montpellier, then Toulouse before welcoming Perpignan for the fourth day.
Auteur : FCG Rugby