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La Rochelle wing Vincent Rattez
2019 Challenge Cup finalists La Rochelle host Glasgow Warriors for the first time this weekend when the two sides meet in a Heineken Champions Cup Pool 2 match.
La Rochelle remain without a point after two matches while Glasgow Warriors sit third after a win over Sale Sharks and a loss to Exeter Chiefs.
Key facts
- Glasgow Warriors have won five of their last seven matches against TOP 14 opposition in the Heineken Champions Cup.
- Each of La Rochelle’s nine Heineken Champions Cup matches have been won by the side leading at half time.
- La Rochelle have made the most offloads of any side this season, while only Exeter have made fewer than Glasgow.
- La Rochelle’s Arthur Retiere has beaten the joint most defenders in the Heineken Champions Cup.
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Adam Hastings, Glasgow Warriors' match-winner in their thrilling win at La Rochelle
Glasgow Warriors lived up to their name as they fought back magnificently from an 18-6 deficit to score a dramatic Heineken Champions Cup victory at Stade Marcel Deflandre on Saturday.
Inspired by fly-half Adam Hastings, who kicked 12 points and created the decisive try by wing Kyle Steyn, the Scottish outfit leapfrogged over Sale Sharks – who play on Sunday – into second place in Pool 2 after some outstanding defence and thrilling attacking play in the second half.
La Rochelle will be kicking themselves, though, for not making more of their first-half domination, as they only led 18-13 at the interval.
After Hastings had kicked Glasgow in front with an early penalty, the home side hit back in style in the fourth minute, wing Vincent Rattez releasing Dany Priso with a brilliant offload after a scything break from near halfway for the prop to charge over under the posts.
6' Après un excellent travail de @Vincent_Rattez ,@Danypriso fonce sous les poteaux et marque le premier essai de la rencontre ! @Jules_plisson convertit, 7-3 ! #Top14 #FievreSR #SRGLAS https://t.co/AVtTXPjs1E pic.twitter.com/kP1Bbdho8j
— Stade Rochelais (@staderochelais) December 7, 2019
New signing Jules Plisson converted and added two penalties to open up a 13-3 lead for the home side, only for Hastings to reduce the deficit with his second penalty.
However, an almighty mix-up by Glasgow after they had won a line-out near their try line let in La Rochelle lock Zeno Kieft for a 35th minute try.
Then, out of the blue in the dying seconds of the half, Glasgow skipper Callum Gibbins mauled his way over the line for a try that was converted by Hastings.
That gave the Warriors the boost they needed and although Plisson kicked his third penalty in the second minute of the second half, flying wing Niko Matawalu intercepted a Victor Vito pass 80 metres out and raced clear for a 50th-minute try that Hastings improved to put Glasgow within a point.
Plisson pulled La Rochelle 24-20 clear with his fourth penalty, but on 63 minutes came the decisive moment of the match. Spotting Steyn free on the left flank near halfway, Hastings lofted a pinpoint kick into his arms and the replacement wing did the rest.
Kyle Steyn’s match-winning try 😍 https://t.co/iDRmpuvK0P
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) December 7, 2019
Hastings converted to put the visitors ahead and Glasgow then had to withstand some intense La Rochelle in the latter stages, which included a try-saving tackle by replacement scrum-half Ali Price on Heineken Man of the Match Rattez.
Next week’s return at Scotstoun should be a cracker on this evidence!
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