La Rochelle Triumphs Over Bath in Champions Cup Opener Despite Second-Half Surge

The French side's dominant first half secured a 24-20 victory, resisting a spirited comeback from Bath in challenging weather conditions.

La Rochelle scored three tries in the first half, leveraging their powerful forward play and wet conditions to build a 21-6 lead by halftime.
Bath, missing key player Ben Spencer due to injury, struggled early but mounted a strong second-half comeback, narrowing the gap to one point with Quinn Roux's try.
Ihaia West's penalty in the 58th minute extended La Rochelle's lead, which Bath could not overcome despite late pressure.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow, La Rochelle's scrum-half, highlighted the impact of the rainy and windy conditions on both teams' gameplay.
The victory provided a morale boost for La Rochelle following recent domestic struggles, reaffirming their status as two-time Champions Cup winners in 2022 and 2023.