In their last outing at Stade Marcel Deflandre of 2025, La Rochelle ended a three-match Top 14 losing streak in emphatic style, climbing provisionally into the top six for the holidays. It's a genuine boost for O'Gara's side, who head to Toulouse for their final match of the year next Sunday. But, for Bayonne and their under-the-microscope manager Gregory Patat, this was more than a result to forget. That result, and Montauban’s 53-17 defeat at home to table-toppers Pau meant that the gap between 13th and 14th is now just two points. Josh Brennan was one of six different try-scorers in a 19-41 bonus-point victory at Stade Gerland, the decisive try coming with the clock in the red.

Source: Irish Examiner December 21, 2025 01:34 UTC