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La Rochelle thump threadbare Bordeaux-Begles / Photo: XAVIER LEOTY - AFP
La Rochelle thump threadbare Bordeaux-Begles
A much-changed Bordeaux-Begles side went down 45-15 at La Rochelle in the French Top 14 on Saturday.
With upcoming games against Montpellier in the domestic league and Bath in the Champions Cup semi-finals, Bordeaux coach Yannick Bru decided to rotate his squad massively for the trip up the Atlantic coast.
The gamble did not pay off as La Rochelle ran in six tries with scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec getting two, while also making six conversions and scoring a penalty on his return from suspension.
Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Begles came through a bruising all-French quarter-final last Sunday, dispatching six-time champions Toulouse 30-15 to make the last four.
In the semis they will meet English Prem leaders Bath, who edged fellow Prem side Northampton. Irish province Leinster will host another French side Toulon.
Later Saturday, Top 14 leaders Toulouse play at Castres while second-placed Pau make the short trip to Bayonne.
A.Harris--SMC
