Bok score as La Rochelle dents Warriors hopes
EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Glasgow Warriors face an anxious wait over their play-off fate, after Stade Rochelais claimed a 38-30 win at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.
With Glasgow’s Pool A campaign now over, the Scottish region must hope that Montpellier Hérault doesn’t pick up a point when they welcome Exeter Chiefs on Sunday – or they will miss out on qualification for the Round of 16.
With Glasgow harbouring hopes of a win to secure their knockout stage spot, La Rochelle went over for the first try of the match on 19 minutes courtesy of Raymond Rhule.
Glasgow flyhalf Ross Thompson and La Rochelle counterpart Pierre Popelin took it in turns to display their kicking prowess throughout the first half, but the visitors went into the break six points up thanks to Paul Boudehent’s try in overtime.
Glasgow had been celebrating just a few minutes before, believing that a knock-on had put an end to the French side’s attacking intent for the first period.
The hosts came out firing at the start of the second half, with a try from Josh McKay within seconds of the restart putting them in front.
But after that, the errors began to pile up and tries from Pierre Bourgarit and Pierre Boudehent, plus three more penalties, two from Popelin and one from replacement Ihaia West, ensured a win for the visitors.
Glasgow will take some solace from two late tries scored by replacement Ollie Smith, scoring a brace on his European debut, but there was no miracle comeback for the hosts.
The scorers
For Glasgow Warriors
Tries: McKay, Smith 2
Cons: Thompson, Weir 2
Pens: Thompson 3
La Rochelle
Tries: Rhule, Boudehent, Bourgarit, Boudehent
Cons: Popelin 3
Pens: Popelin 3, West
Yellow cards: Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors, 4), Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle, 67), Dillyn Leyds (La Rochelle, 73)
The teams:
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Rufus McLean, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ali Price, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Fraser Brown (captain), 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Kiran McDonald, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 George Horne, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Ollie Smith.
La Rochelle: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Raymond Rhule, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Pierre Boudehent, 10 Pierre Popelin, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Grégory Alldritt (captain), 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Rémi Bourdeau, 5 Rémi Picquette, 4 Romain Sazy, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Dany Priso.
Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Léo Aouf, 18 Guram Papidze, 19 Thomas Lavault, 20 Mathieu Tanguy, 21 Thomas Berjon, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Eneriko Buliruarua.
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Michael Hudson (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)
Source: @ChampionsCup
